IN  THE  MASTER'S 
COUNTRY 


A    GEOGRAPHICAL    AID    TO    THE 
STUDY   OF  THE  LIFE  OF   CHRIST 


MARTHA  TARBELL,  Ph.  D., 

Author  of  Tarbell's  Teachers'  Guide  to  the 

International     Sunday-School     Lessons,     Joint 

Author  of   Tarbell's    Geographical    Series 

for  Schools 


BS630 

tl  \I  HODDER  &  STOUGHTON 

X I  f  1  NEW  YORK 

GE< 


^ORGE  H.  DORAN  COMPANY 


LIBRARY  OF  THE  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 

PRINCETON.  N.  J. 


PRESENTED  BY 


Dr.    Thomas   C.   Pears 


hVisionlbS.^^O  0 


Siectxon^.-' 1 |_. 


From  slcrcugraph  copyright   by    Underwood  &    Undcrxvood,  New   York 

A   WOMAN    BAKING   BREAD    IN    FRONT    OF   HER    HOUSE   IN 

JERICHO 


IN  THE  MASTER'S 
COUNTRY 


A     GEOGRAPHICAL    AID    TO    THE 
STUDY  OF  THE  LIFE  OF   CHRIST 


MARTHA  TARBELL,  Ph.  D., 

Author  of  Tarbell's  Teachers'  Guide  to  the 

International     Sunday-School     Lessons,      Joint 

Author   of   Tarbell's    Geographical    Series 

for  Schools 


RODDER  &  STOUGHTON 

NEW  YORK 

GEORGE  H.  DORAN  COMPANY 


Copyright    1907 
THE  BOBBS-MERRILL  COMPANY 

COPYKICHT      I9IO 

GEORGE   H.   DORAN    COMPANY 


Position  and  Extent  :  Location  of  Syria ;  Limits  of 
Palestine  and  Distance  from  the  United  States  ;  Names  of 
Palestine;  Size  of  Palestine;  Map  Work. 

Physical  Features  :  Four  Parallel  Regions ;  Maritime 
Plain  ;  Plain  of  Esdraelon  ;  Jordan  Valley  ;  Jordan  River 
System  ;  Eastern  Range  ;  Map  Work. 

Climate:  Temperature;  Seasons;  Prevailing  Winds; 
Storms  on  the  Sea  of  Galilee. 

Divisions:  Political  Divisions;  Judea;  Samaria;  Gali- 
lee; Perea;  Tetrarchy  of  Philip;  Map  Work. 

Great  Highways:  North  and  South  Roads;  East  and 
West  Roads  ;  Map  Work. 

Cities:  Of  the  Maritime  Plain  ;  Of  Judea;  Of  Samaria; 
Around  the  Sea  of  Galilee  ;  Among  the  Galilean  Hills  ;  Of 
the  Tetrarchy  of  Philip;  Of  Perea;  Map  Work. 

Reproductions  o^  Photographs,  Colored  Maps,  Outline 
Maps  and  Diagrams. 


RELIEF  MAP 

OF 

PALESTINE 


PALESTINE 

ill  the 
TIME  OF  CHRIST 


TMe   M.-N.   WOOKS. 


PREFACE 

Whoever  would  study  the  life  of  Jesus  Christ  must  study  the  geography  of 
the  Land  where  He  lived.  What  teacher  or  pupil  can  clearly  understand  the 
events  of  His  public  ministry  who  does  not  understand  the  effect 
on  the  people  of  the  geographical  conditions  which  made  it  possible  for 
Hirti  to  labor  more  successfully  with  the  people  of  Galilee  than  He  could  have 
done  with  the  people  of  Judea :  who  can  not  locate  approximately  the  cities  on 
the  Sea  of  Galilee;  who  does  not,  in  brief,  thoroughly  know  the  land  where 
He  wrought  His  mighty  works? 

There  are  several  large,  comprehensive  works  upon  the  historical  geography 
of  Palestine  which  arc  invaluable  for  the  student  who  would  know  the  land  in 
all  its  details,  or  for  any  one  to  use  as  books  of  reference,  but  the  lack  of  a 
small  book  containing  all  that  is  essential  for  the  study  of  the  life  of  Christ  and 
yet  no  more  than  teachers  must  know  and  pupils  can  readily  learn,  has  led  to 
the  preparation  of  this  book  for  the  use  of  teachers  and  pupils  alike.  The  aim 
of  the  writer  has  been  to  give  all  the  essential  facts  in  an  orderly,  clear  and 
interesting  way. 

Teachers  realize  that  a  knowledge  of  the  geograpl:y  cf  Palestine  is  essential 
to  a  correct  understanding  of  the  Gospel  narratives,  b"t  in  their  short  lesson 
period  each  week  they  have  not  time  to  impart  this  knowledge  orally,  nor 
could  they  do  this  successfully  unless  the  pupils  are  themselves  provided  with 
maps  and  diagrams.  From  the  large  colored  relief  map  in  the  book  pupils 
can  gain  a  better  understanding  of  the  altitudes  and  depths  of  Palestine's  sur- 
face than  from  any  other  map  published.  Besides  the  three  full-page  maps  the 
numerous  small   maps  and  diagrams  will   be   found  very  helpful. 

An  important  feature  of  the  book  is  the  map  work  assigned ;  the  outline 
maps  at  the  end  of  the  book  are  to  be  filled  in  by  the  pupils  in  accordance  with 
the  directions  given.  After  the  four  parallel  regions  are  taught  by  te.xt  and 
map  and  sectional  diagrams  on  page  4,  for  example,  directions  are  given  for 
tracing  them  upon  the  outline  map  provided  on  page  33 ;  after  the  extent,  char- 
acter and  importance  of  the  Maritime  Plain  have  been  taught  on  page  5,  di- 
rections are  given  for  coloring  it  on  the  large  relief  outline  map  page  37;  etc. 
Pupils  will  find  the  work  called  for  very  interesting,  and  this  practical  work 
can  not  fail  to  make  their  geographical  knowledge  gained  a  permanent  pos- 
session. 

For  the  convenience  of  teachers  in  assigning  the  study  of  the  text  in  connec- 
tion with  the  regular  Bible  lessons,  the  paragraphs  are  numbered.  For  their 
convenience  also,   frequent  review  questions  are  given. 

The  first  chapter  of  the  book  treats  of  the  position  and  extent  of  Palestine, 
its  distance  from  the  United  States,  its  boundaries  and  its  size.  In  tlie  next 
the  physical  regions  are  fully  treated — the  Maritime  Plain,  Central  Range, 
Plain  of  Esdraelon,  Jordan  Valley,  Jordan  River  System,  Eastern  Range.  In 
succeeding  chapters  are  treated  the  climate  of  Palestine,  the  political  divisions 
and    their    characteristics,    the    great    highways,    and    the    cities    in    geographical 


PREFACE 

groups.  Throughout  the  book  the  effect  of  the  geographical  features  of  The 
Land  on  the  history  in  The  Book  is  emphasized,  and  with  each  locality  the 
events  in  Christ's  life  are  associated. 

Reproductions  from  eight  of  the  beautiful  Underwood  stereographs  portray 
places  and  scenes  connected  with  the  life  of  Christ.  The  use  also  of  the  many 
stereographs  of  Palestine,  together  with  the  stereoscopes  and  maps,  of  the 
Underwood  and  Underwood  Travel  System  is  strongly  recommended. 

The  sketch  of  the  Master's  Life,  which  gives  in  chronological  order  (as  far 
as  can  be  given)  the  events  and  discourses  of  all  four  Gospels,  with  the  ref- 
erences to  the  Gospel  records,  will  be  found  useful  in  connection  with  The 
Study  of  the  Master's  Country. 


U 


THE  LTF]^]  OF  JESUS  CHRONOLOGICALLY 
ARRANGED 

(Jesus  lived  perhaps  thirty-three  years,  but  only  one  event  in  the  thirty  years 
from  His  infancy  to  His  baptism  is  known.  The  definite  events  in  His  life 
gleaned  from  all  four  Gospel  records  cover  only  thirty  to  thirty-five  days :  His 
recorded  words  can  be  spoken  in  five  or  six  hours.  A  complete  life  of  Jesus 
can  not  be  written,  nor  can  the  events  of  His  public  ministry  be  arranged  with 
certainty  in  chronological   order. 

Jesus  lived  in  the  first  third  of  the  first  century,  but  the  date  of  His  birth 
is  variously  assigned  by  scholars  to  8  to  S  B.  C,  His  ministry  to  one  to  four 
years'  duration,  and  His  death  to  29  to  33  A.  D.  In  this  sketch  Dec.  25  B.  C.  is 
taken  as  the  date  of  His  birth,  about  three  and  a  half  years  as  the  duration  of 
His  ministry,  and  the  spring  of  A.  D.  30  as  the  date  of  His  crucifixion.  The 
order  of  events  follows  Stevens  and  Burton's  "Harmony  of  tlie  Gospels.") 

Part  I.  The  Thirty  Years  of  Private  Life:  from  the  Birth  of 
Jesus  until  the  Coming-  of  John  the  Baptist,  Dec.  25,  B.  C.  to  the 
Summer  of  A.  D.  26. 

1.  Jesus  was  born  at  Bethlehem  of  Judea.  The  Shepherds  found  Him  lying 
in  a  manger  there.  When  forty  days  old  He  was  presented  to  the  Lord  in  the 
temple  according  to  Jewish  custom,  and  Simeon  and  Anna  gave  thanks  that 
they  had  seen  the  Lord's  Christ.  The  Wise-men  from  the  East  came  and 
brought  Him  their  gifts,  and  from  them  Herod,  the  ruler,  learned  of  the  birth 
of  "the  King  of  the  Jews."  He  ordered  the  slaying  of  all  the  children  in 
Bethlehem  who  were  two  years  old  and  under,  for  he  feared  a  claimant  to 
his  throne.  But  the  Babe  and  His  mother  Mary  had  already  been  taken  into 
Efypt  by  Joseph,  for  God  had  warned  Joseph  in  a  dream  that  Herod  would 
seek  the  Babe's  life.  After  the  death  of  Herod,  they  all  returned  and  settled 
in  Nazareth  of  Galilee.  And  the  Child  grew,  and  wa.xed  strong,  filled  with 
wisdom;  and  the  grace  of  God  was  upon  Him.  Mt.  1. 1-2.23;  J^lk.  i.i  ;  Lk.  i.i- 
:2.40;   3.23-3S;   Jn.    1.1-18. 

2.  Only  one  incident  of  the  silent  y;ars  in  secluded  Nazareth  is  recorded, 
Jesus'  visit  as  a  Lad  of  twelve  to  Jerusalem  at  the  passover  (April  A.  D.  9), 
where  He  amazed  the  learned  rabbis  with  His  understanding,  and  gave  that 
wonderful  answer  to  His  mother,  who  thought  Him  lost — Knew  ye  not  that 
I  must  be  about  my  Father's  business?  The  Lad  returned  with  His  parents  to 
Nazareth  and  was  subject  to  them,  and  He  advanced  in  wisdom  and  stature, 
and  in  favor  with  God  and  man.     Lk.  2.41-52. 

Part  11.  The  (3pening  Events  of  Jesus'  ^Ministry :  from  the  Coin- 
ing of  John  the  Baptist  until  the  Public  Appearance  of  Jesus  in 
Jerusalem,  Summer  of  A.  D.  26  to  March  A.  D.  2^. 

3.  Seventeen  years  passed,  and  the  time  came  for  Jesus  the  Christ  to  enter 
on   His  public  ministry.     His  herald,  John   the   Baptist,   announced   His  coming, 


CHRONOLOGICAL  LIFE  OF  JESUS 

warned  the  people  to  repent,  and  baotized  them  in  the  Jordan  River.  To  him 
Jesus  came  and  was  baptized,  received  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  was 
thus  consecrated  for  His  divine  mission.  He  withdrew  to  the  wilderness  of 
Judea  and  there  met  and  conquered  three  great  temptations.  Mt.  3.1-4.11; 
Mk.    1. 2-13;  Lk.  3-1-23;  4-I-I3- 

4.  Before  the  priests  and  Levites  from  Jerusalem,  John  the  Baptist  bore  his 
testimony  to  Jesus  as  the  Christ,  and  pointed  Him  out  to  two  of  his  own  dis- 
ciples, Andrew  and  John,  as  "The  Lamb  of  God  that  taketh  away  the  sins  of 
the  world."  These  two  followed  Jesus,  and  on  the  morrow  Andrew  brought 
his  brother  Simon  (Peter),  and  probably  John  his  brother  James,  to  see  Him. 
Philip  obeyed  Jesus'  call  to  follow  Him  and  then  brought  Nathanael.  Jesus 
went  with  these  followers  to  Cana  of  Galilee,  where  at  a  marriage  feast  He 
wrought  His  first  miracle,  the  turning  of  water  into  wine.  From  there  He 
went  to  Capernaum.     Jn.   1.19-2.12. 

Part  in.  The  Early  Jiulean  IMinistry :  from  the  Public  Appearance 
of  Jesus  in  Jerusalem  until  His  Return  to  Galilee,  April  to  Decem- 
ber, A.  D.  2-]. 

5.  After  a  few  days  in  Capernaum,  Jesus  went  to  Jerusalem  to  attend  the 
passover.  There  He  drove  out  the  traders  in  the  temple  (the  first  cleansing  of 
the  temple),  and  many  believed  in  Him.  Nicodemus,  a  ruler  of  the  Jews, 
visited  Him,  believing  Him  to  be  a  Teacher  come  from  God,  and  Jesus  told 
him  that  God  so  loved  the  world,  that  He  gave  His  only  begotten  Son,  that 
whosoever  believeth  on  Him  should  not  perish,  but  have  eternal  life.     Jn.  2.13- 

3-21. 

6.  While  Jesus  tarried  in  Judea  and  preached  and  His  disciples  baptized, 
John  the  Baptist  was  continuing  his  preaching  and  baptizing  at  .Unon.  Disciples 
of  John,  jealous  for  their  master,  came  to  him  and  complained  because  "all 
men"  were  flocking  to  Jesus.  He  that  cometh  from  heaven  is  above  all ;  He 
must  increase,  but  I  must  decrease,  answered  John,  who  rejoiced  in  Jesus' 
popularity.     Jn.   3.22-36. 

7.  John  was  imprisoned  by  Herod  probably  in  the  castle  of  Machterus,  and 
Jesus  left  Judea  for  Galilee.  On  the  way  He  passed  through  Samaria,  and  at  the 
city  of  Sychar,  by  Jacob's  well.  He  talked  with  a  Samaritan  woman,  telling  her 
that  He  was  the  Messiah,  and  that  God  is  a  Spirit,  and  they  that  worship  Him 
must  worship  in  spirit  and  truth.  The  Samaritans  came  and  besought  Him  to 
stay  with  them.  He  remained  there  two  days,  and  won  many  disciples. 
Mt.  4.12;  Mk.   1. 14;  Jn.  4.1-42. 

Part  W .  First  Period  of  the  (jalilean  IMinistry;  from  the  Return 
to  Galilee  until  the  Choosing  of  the  Twelve,  Dec.  A.  D.  27  to  May 
A.  D.  28. 

8.  Continuing  His  journey,  Jesus  reached  Galilee  and  was  favorably  re- 
ceived by  the  people,  for  many  of  them  had  seen  Him  at  the  passover  in 
Jerusalem.  At  Cana  a  nobleman  besought  Him  to  come  to  Capernaum  and 
cure  his  son,  who  was  very  ill.  Go  thy  way;  thy  son  liveth,  Jesus  answered, 
and  the  father  found  His  word  true.  In  the  synagogue  at  Nazareth  Jesus  ap- 
plied to  Himself  the  prophecy  of  Isaiah  in  regard  to  the  work  of  the  Messiah, 
and  was  rejected  by  the  people  who  had  known  Him  in  His  youth.  They 
drove    Him   out    of   the   city,    inlcnding   to   hurl    Him    down    from    the    hill,   but 

iv 


CHRONOLOGICAL  LILK  OL  JESUS 

He  escaped  unharmed  and   went  to  Capernaum.     Mt.  4.12-17;   Mk.   1.14,   15;   Lk. 
4.14-313;   Jn.   4  1-54- 

9.  After  tlii.s  Jesu.s  made  His  headquarters  at  Capernaum.  By  the  Sea  of 
Galilee  He  called  the  four  fishermen,  Peter  and  Andrew,  James  and  John,  to 
leave  their  nets  and  become  His  constant  companions.  An  account  of  a  busy 
day  in  Capernaum  is  recorded,  when  Jesus  healed  a  demoniac,  the  mother  of 
Peter's  wife,  and  many  others.  During  the  winter  He  made  a  tour  of  Galilee, 
teaching  in  the  synagogues,  and  preaching  the  gospel  of  the  kingdom,  and 
healing  all  manner  of  disease  and  all  manner  of  sickness  among  the  people. 
Mt.  4.18-23;  8.14-17;   Mk.   1.16-45;   Lk.  5.1-11;  4.31-44. 

10.  Among  the  miracles  wrought  were  the  healing  of  a  leper  and  that  of  a 
fTralytic  who  was  brought  by  persistent  friends  and  let  down  through  t'.ie 
roof  of  the  house  at  Capernaum  where  Jesus  was  preaching.  Maltliew  the 
publican,  who  later  wrote  our  first  Gospel,  was  called  by  Jesus  to  follow  Him, 
and  he  instantly  obeyed.  Matthew  gave  a  feast  for  his  new  Master,  and  the 
watching  Pharisees  complained  because  Jesus  ate  with  publicans  and  sinners. 
He  declared  that  His  mission  was  to  those  who  most  needed  Him.  The  dis- 
ciples of  John  the  Baptist  arrd  of  the  Pharisees  complained  because  Jesus'  dis- 
ciples did  not  fast.  He  declared  that  a  new  order  of  things  was  beginning. 
Mt.  8.2-4;  9-I-I7;  Mk.  2.1-22;  Lk.  5.12-39. 

11.  Jesus  attended  the  passover  at  Jerusalem  in  the  spring  of  the  year  28, 
and  there  healed  the  infirm  man  at  the  pool  of  Bethesda.  The  Jews  objected 
because  the  miracle  was  wrought  on  the  Sabbath  and'  because  Jesus  made  Him- 
self equal  with  God,  and  they  determined  to  kill  Him.  In  His  defence  Jesus 
told  them  that  the  very  works  He  did  bore  witness  of  Him,  that  the  Father 
had  sent  Him.  In  Galilee  the  Pharisees  objected  to  the  plucking  and  eating 
corn  on  the  Sabbath  by  the  disciples ;  Jesus  told  them  that  He  was  Lord  of  the 
Sabbath.  At  another  time  Jesus  cured  the  withered  hand  of  a  man  in  the 
synagogue  on  the  Sabbath,  and  the  angry  Pharisees  went  out  and  counseled 
with  the  Herodians  how  they  might  destroy  Him.  Jn.  5.1-47;  Mt.  12.1-14; 
Mk.  2.23-3.6;   Lk.  6.1-11. 

Part  \".  Second  Period  of  the  Galilean  Ministry :  from  the  Choos- 
ing of  the  Twelve  ttntil  the  Withdrawal  into  Northern  Galilee,  Spring 
of  A.  D.  28  to  Spring  of  A.  D.  29. 

12.  By  this  time  the  fame  of  Jesus  had  spread  throughout  all  Syria.  He 
chose  from  among  His  followers  twelve  to  be  His  constant  companions  and 
called  them  apostles.  In  the  Sermon  on  the  IMount  He  taught  them  the  nature 
of  the  kingdom  Pie  had  come  to  establish.  ]\It.  4.23-25;  12.15-21;  10.2-4; 
5.1-8.1;  Mk.  3.7-193;  Lk.  6.12-49. 

13.  At  Capernaum  Jesus  healed  the  centurion's  servant  and  marveled  at  the 
great  faith  of  the  centurion.  Soon  afterwards  He  went  to  the  city  of  Nain, 
and  there  restored  to  life  the  widow's  son.  John  the  Baptist  sent  disciples 
to  Him  to  inquire  if  He  were  the  Christ,  and  in  answer  Jesus  bade  them  tell 
their  master  of  the  wonderful  works  He  was  doing.  Then  to  the  multitude  He 
extolled  the  Baptist.  He  rebuked  the  people  who  found  fault  both  with  John 
the  Baptist  and  with  Him,  and  then  because  of  their  unbelief  upbraided  the 
cities  of  Galilee  in  which  most  of  His  mighty  works  had  been  wrought.  At 
the  house  of  Simon  the  Pharisee  Jesus  was  anointed  by  a  repentant,  sinful 
woman,    and    to   the    complaining    Pharisees    He    told    the    parable    of   the    Two 


CHRONOLOGICAL  LIFE  OF  JESUS 

Debtors  and  added:  Her  sins,  which  are  many,  are  forgiven,  for  she  loved 
much.  On  His  second  preaching  tour  throughout  Gahlce  Jesus  was  accom- 
panied by  His  twelve  disciples  and  also  bj^  women  who  ministered  unto  them 
with  their  substance,  Mary  Magdalene,  Joanna  the  wife  of  Herod's  steward, 
and  others.     Mt.  8.5-13;   11.2-30;  Lk.  7.1-8.3. 

14.  This  is  the  record  of  one  day  in  Capernaum :  When  Jesus  healed  a  blind 
and  dumb  demoniac  the  Pharisees  said  that  He  cast  out  demons  by  the  prince 
of  demons,  and  He  refuted  them  and  warned  them  of  "an  eternal  sin";  He  re- 
buked the  Pharisees'  craving  for  a  sign,  and  when  His  mother  and  brethren 
asked  to  see  Him  He  declared  that  His  true  kindred  were  those  who  did  the 
will  of  His  Father  in  heaven;  going  out  of  the  house  and  sitting  in  a  boat  by 
the  Sea  of  Galilee  He  spoke  His  parables  of  the  Sower,  the  Tares,  the  Mustard 
Seed,  the  Leaven,  the  Hid  Treasure,  the  Pearl  of  Great  Price,  and  the  Net. 
]\It.  12.22-13.53;  Mk.  3.i9b-4.34;  Lk.  8.19-21,  4-18. 

15.  On  the  evening  of  that  busy  day  Jesus  started  with  His  disciples  to 
cross  from  Capernaum  to  the  eastern  shore  of  the  Sea  of  Galilee  in  a  boat; 
they  aroused  Him  from  His  sleep  when  a  tempest  arose,  and  He  stilled  it. 
On  reaching  Gadara  on  the  other  side  Jesus  healed  a  fierce  demoniac.  The 
people  besought  Plim  to  leave,  because  their  swine,  into  which  the  expelled 
demons  had  entered,  as  they  declared,  had  rushed  into  the  sea.  Jesus  returned 
to  Capernaum,  and  as  Pie  sat  teaching  the  multitude  on  the  shore,  Jairus,  a 
ruler  of  the  Jews,  besought  Plim  to  come  and  cure  his  dying  d.iugluer.  On 
the  way  an  afflicted  woman  touched  the  hem  of  His  garment  and  was  cured. 
The  ruler's  daughter  had  died,  but  Jesus  restored  her  to  life.  Not  long  after- 
wards Jesus  healed  two  bhnd  men  and  a  dumb  demoniac.  Mt.  8.18,  23-34; 
9.1,  18-34;  Mk.  4-3S-5-43;  Lk.  8.22-56. 

16.  A  second  time  Jesus  went  to  Nazareth  and  taught  in  the  synagogue,  only 
to  be  again  rejected  by  the  people.  He  continued  His  teaching  in  the  villages 
of  Galilee,  and  also  sent  forth  the  Twelve  on  a  tour  of  preaching  and  healing. 
Herod  heard  of  the  fame  of  Jesus  and  thought  that  He  must  be  John  the  Bap- 
tist returned  to  life.  His  conscience  troubled  him,  for  at  the  demand  of 
Herodias,  through  her  daughter  who  had  danced  at  his  feast  and  won  his 
favor,  he  had  ordered  John  beheaded  in  prison.  Mt.  13.54-58;  9.35-11.1; 
14.1-12;  Mk.  6.1-29;  Lk.  9.1-9. 

17.  The  disciples  returned  from  their  mission,  and  to  secure  rest  for  them 
and  opportunity  to  talk  with  Him  apart  from  the  crowds  Jesus  proposed  going 
across  the  Lake.  The  crowds  followed  to  the  northern  shore  in  the  tetrarchy 
of  Philip,  and  there  Jesus  with  five  loaves  and  two  fishes  fed  the  five  thousand 
people.  The  people  sought  to  make  Him  king;  He  sent  the  disciples  in  the 
boat  back  to  Capernaum,  sent  away  the  people,  and  then  went  alone  to  the  moun- 
tain to  pray.  At  night  the  disciples  were  startled  to  see  Jesus  walking  on  the 
sea  towards  the  boat.  Peter  asked  and  received  permission  to  come  to  Him  upon 
the  water,  but  he  began  to  sink,  and  was  saved  by  Jesus.  On  the  morrow  the 
multitude  followed  Jesus  to  Capernaum.  Jesus  told  them  that  they  sought  Him 
for  the  loaves  and  fishes,  and  talked  to  them  about  the  Bread  of  Life.  The 
people,  disappointed  in  finding  Jesus  so  different  from  the  earthly  King  they 
had  expected,  deserted  Him  in  great  numbers.  Would  ye  also  go  away? 
Jesus  asked  the  Twelve,  and  Peter  replied  for  them.  To  whom  shall  we  go? 
Thou  hast  the  words  of  eternal  life.  Scribes  and  Pharisees  objected  to  the 
fact   that    the   disciples   ate   with  unwashed   hands,   and  Jesus   taught   them   the 

vi 


CHRONOLOGICAL  LIFE  OF  JESUS 

difference   between   ceremonial   and   real    defilement.      Mt.    14.13-15.20;    Mk.   6.30- 
T.2Z\  Lk.  9.10-17;  Jn.  6.1-71. 

Part  VL  Third  Period  of  the  GaUlean  Ministry:  from  the  With- 
drawal into  Northern  Gahlee  until  the  Final  Departure  for  Jerusalem, 
Summer  to  October,  A.  D.  29. 

18.  The  crisis  at  Capernaum  having  been  reached,  Jesus  deemed  it  wise  to 
leave  Galilee.  With  the  Twelve  He  went  to  the  neighborhood  of  Tyre  and 
Sidon  in  Phoenicia,  and  there  healed  the  daughter  of  a  Gentile  woman.  He 
journeyed  eastward,  crossed  the  Jordan,  and  then  went  south  to  the  region 
of  Decapolis.  He  returned  to  the  Sea  of  Galilee,  wrought  many  miracles  of 
healing  and  fed  the  four  thousand.  During  His  brief  sojourn  by  the  Sea  of 
Galilee  Phari.sees  and  Sadducees  demanded  a  sign  from  heaven,  which  Jesus  re- 
fused, and  then  He  warned  His  disciples  against  hypocrisy,  the  "leaven  of  the 
Pharisees."  Near  Bethsaida  He  gave  sight  to  a  blind  man.  Mt.  15.21-16.12; 
Mk.  7.24-8.26. 

19.  A  second  northern  journey  was  made  that  Jesus  might  be  alone  with  the 
Twelve.  Had  they  profited  from  their  close  companionship  with  Him,  and  did 
they  know  who  He  was?  Near  Cjesarea  Philippi  He  asked  them  who  they 
thought  Him  to  be,  and  Peter  answered.  Thou  art  the  Christ,  the  Son  of  the 
living  God.  He  then  plainly  told  them  that  He  must  go  to  Jerusalem  to  suffer 
and  be  killed  and  be  raised  up  on  the  third  day.  With  Peter,  James  and  John, 
Jesus  ascended  a  mountain  and  was  transfigured  before  them.  On  their  return 
to  the  foot  of  the  mountain  He  healed  the  demoniac  boy  whom  the  disciples 
had  failed  to  help.  Again  he  foretold  His  death  and  resurrection.  Mt.  16.13- 
17.23;   Mk.  8.27-9.32;  Lk.  9.18-45. 

20.  When  they  were  again  in  Capernaum,  Jesus  bade  Peter  throw  his  hook 
into  the  sea  and  in  the  mouth  of  the  fish  caught  he  would  find  a  shekel  with 
which  to  pay  the  temple  tax  for  them  both.  Who  is  greatest  in  the  Kingdom 
of  heaven?  the  disciples  asked  Him  about  this  time,  and  He  talked  to  them 
about  humility  and  forgiveness,  telling  them  the  parables  of  the  Lost  Slieep 
and  of  the  Unmerciful  Servant.     Mt.  17.24-18.35;  Mk.  9.33-50;  Lk.  9.46-50. 

21.  In  October,  Jesus  went  to  Jerusalem  to  attend  the  feast  of  tabernacles. 
His  enemies  were  astonished  at  His  teaching,  and  the  officers  sent  to  arrest 
Plim  failed  to  do  so  because,  they  said,  Never  man  so  spake.  At  the  close  of 
His  discourse  on  the  Light  of  the  World  and  Spiritual  Freedom,  the  Jews 
attempted  to  stone  Him,  but  He   escaped.     Jn.   7.1-8.59. 

Part  \\\.  The  Perean  Ministry:  from  the  Final  Departure  from 
Galilee  until  the  Final  Arrival  at  Jerusalem,  Nov.  A.  D.  29  to  April 
I,  A.  D.  30. 

22.  Jesus  had  now  "steadfastly  set  His  face  to  go  to  Jerusalem,"  and  He  left 
Galilee.  Upon  the  Samaritans,  who  would  not  receive  Him,  James  and  John 
would  call  down  fire  from  heaven,  but  their  Lord  rebuked  them.  Jesus  chose 
seventy  from  among  Plis  followers  and  sent  them  forth  on  a  mission  of  teach- 
ing and  healing;  and  they  returned  rejoicing  in  their  power.  A  lawyer  asked 
Jesus  what  he  must  do  to  inherit  eternal  life,  and  Jesus  said  he  must  love 
God  and  his  neighbor.  In  answer  to  the  lawyer's  question.  Who  is  my  neigh- 
bor?   Jesus  gave  His  parable  of  the  Good  Samaritan.     They  journeyed  to  Beth- 


CHRONOLOGICAL  LIFE  OF  JESUS 

any,  and  were  welcomed  in  the  heme  of  Martha  and  Mary.  At  Jerusalem,  Jesus 
gave  sight  to  a  man  born  blind.  The  Pharisees  found  fault  with  Him  for  heal- 
ing on  the  Sabbath,  and  in  answer  Jesus  gave  His  parable  of  the  Sheep-fold 
and  His  talk  about  Himself  as  the  Good  Shepherd.  While  walking  in  Solo- 
mon's porch  at  the  feast  of  dedication,  He  told  the  Pharisees,  in  answer  to  their 
demand,  "I^  thou  art  the  Christ,  tell  us  plainly,"  that  He  and  the  Father  are 
One,  whereupon  the  Jews  took  up  stones  to  kill  Him,  and  when  calmed  by  His 
words  attempted  to  arrest  Him.  He  eluded  them  and  crossed  over  to  Perea. 
Mt.  19.1,  2;  8.18-22;  Mk.  lo.i;  Lk.  9.51-10.42;  Jn.  9.1-10.42. 

23.  During  His  stay  of  three  months  in  Perea  Jesus  gave  many  discourses,  in 
which  are  repetitions  of  counsel  recorded  by  Matthew  in  the  Sermon  on  the 
Mount.  He  encouraged  His  disciples  to  pray.  After  casting  out  a  demon,  He 
rebuked  the  craving  for  a  sign,  and  exposed  and  denounced  the  Pharisees, 
charging  His  disciples  to  beware  of  their  hypocrisy.  In  a  talk  about  covetous- 
ness  He  told  the  parable  of  the  Rich  Fool.  He  urged  His  disciples  to  be 
watchful,  and  told  them  the  parable  of  the  Faithful  and  Unfaithful  Servants. 
The  punishment  of  the  Galileans  massacred  by  Pilate  led  Him  to  preach  the 
necessity  of  repentance  and  to  give  His  parable  of  the  Barren  Fig  Tree.  A 
cure  of  a  woman  on  the  Sabbath  aroused  anew  the  anger  of  His  enemies.  Lk. 
Ii.l-i3.21. 

24.  Jesus  continued  His  journey  toward  Jerusalem  and  taught  in  the  cities 
and  villages.  He  answered  the  question  whether  few  are  saved  with  his  talk 
about  the  Narrow  Door,  and  followed  His  answer  to  the  warning  against  Herod 
with  His  lament  over  Jerusalem.  At  a  dinner  with  a  Chief  Pharisee  He  gave 
the  parable  of  the  Great  Supper.  A  discourse  on  counting  the  cost  followed. 
The  parables  of  the  Lost  Sheep,  Lost  Piece  of  Money,  Prodigal  Son,  Unjust 
Steward,  and  the  Rich  Man  and  Lazarus  were  spoken,  and  a  talk  was  given 
about  stumbling-blocks  and  faith.  He  heard  of  the  sickness  of  Lazarus,  and 
after  a  short  delay  went  on  to  Bethany  and  raised  Lazarus  from  the  dead. 
This  miracle  caused  so  many  to  believe  in  Him  that  the  chief  priests  met  in 
council  to  plan  His  death.  He  withdrew  to  Ephraim.  Lk.  13.22-17.10;  Jn. 
II. 1-54. 

25.  On  the  final  journey  to  Jerusalem  Jesus  cured  ten  lepers  of  Samaria. 
After  teaching  the  Pharisees  about  the  coming  of  the  Kingdom,  He  taught 
them  about  prayer  by  the  parable  of  the  Importunate  Widow  and  the  Upright- 
eous  Judge,  and  about  humility  by  the  parable  of  the  Pharisee  and  the  Pub- 
lican. A  discourse  about  divorce  is  next  recorded,.  Little  children  were  brought 
to  Plim  and  He  blessed  them.  The  rich  young  ruler  came  with  his  question 
about  what  he  must  do  to  inherit  eternal  life,  and  Jesus  talked  about  the  peril  of 
riches  and  gave  His  parable  of  the  Laborers  in  the  Vineyard.  He  foretold  once 
more  what  would  happen  in  Jeru.salem,  but  His  disciples  did  not  understand 
Him.  James  and  John  were  ambitious  to  have  the  first  seats  in  His  Kingdom, 
but  Jesus  declared  that  greatness  in  Plis  Kingdom  lies  in  service.  Near 
Jericho  two  blind  men  were  healed,  and  in  Jericho  Jesus  visited  Zacchaeus  the 
publican,  and  gave  His  parable  of  the  Pounds.  He  reached  Bethany  and  was 
anointed  "for  His  burial"  by  Mary.  Mt.  19.3-20.34;  26.6-13;  Mk.  10.2-52; 
14.3-9;   Lk.    17.11-19-28;   Jn.    11.55-12.11. 

Part  VIII.     Passion  Week:  from  the  Final  Arrival  in  Jerusalem 
until  the  Resurrection,  Sunday,  April  2,  to  Sunday,  April  9,  A.  D.  30. 

viii 


CHRONOLOGICAL  LIFE  OF  JESUS 

26.  Sunday,  Jesus  made  a  triumphal  entry  into  Jerusalem,  retiring  at  night 
to  Bethany.     Mt.  21.1-11;  Mk.   ii.i-ii;   Lk.   19.29-44;  Jn.   12. 12-19. 

27.  Monday.  On  His  way  back  to  Jerusalem  in  the  morning.  He  pronounced 
His  curse  on  the  fig  tree.  Entering  the  temple  He  drove  out  the  traffickers  (tlie 
second  cleansing)  and  received  the  hosannas  of  the  children.  j\It.  21.18,19,12-17; 
Mk.   II. 12-19;   Lk.    19.45-48. 

28.  Tuesday.  On  returning  to  Jerusalem  in  the  morning,  the  disciples  found 
the  fig  tree  withered  away.  Jesus  entered  the  temple  and  was  met  by  the  chief 
priests  and  elders  who  challenged  His  authority.  In  reply,  He  gave  three 
parables  of  warning,  that  of  the  Two  Sons,  of  the  Wicked  Husbandmen,  and 
of  the  King's  Marriage  Feast.  The  Pharisees  came,  seeking  to  ensnare  Him 
in  His  talk,  and  asked  Him  three  questions  about  tribute  to  Caesar,  the  resur- 
rection, and  the  great  commandment.  He  silenced  them  by  His  wise  answers, 
and  then  in  His  turn  asked  them  a  question  about  the  Christ  which  they  did 
not  answer.  He  j)ronounccd  His  woes  upon  the  Scribes  and  Pharisees  and  de- 
clared the  widow's  gift  of  two  mites  greater  than  the  gifts  of  the  rich.  When 
told  that  certain  Greeks  wished  to  see  Him,  He  was  led  to  reflect  upon  His 
rejection  by  the  Jews.  The  long  day  of  conflict  ended  with  a  discourse  con- 
cerning the  destruction  of  Jerusalem  and  the  end  of  the  world,  and  the  parables 
of  the  Ten  Virgins,  the  Talents,  and  the  Judgment.  Judas  met  with  the  chief 
priests  and  made  his  bargain  with  them  to  betray  his  Lord.  Mt.  21.20-26. 16; 
Mk.  11.20-14.11;  Lk.  20.1-22.6;  Jn.  12.20-50. 

29.  Wednesday.     There  is  no  record  of  any  event  on  this  day. 

30.  Thursday.  Jesus  and  His  disciples  met  to  celebrate  the  passover,  and 
even  at  this  time  there  was  strife  among  the  disciples  as  to  who  was  the 
greatest ;  by  washing  their  feet  Jesus  taught  them  that  greatness  is  in  service. 
As  they  sat  around  the  table  He  announced  His  betrayal.  The  institution  of 
the  Lord's  Supper  followed.  Peter's  denial  was  predicted.  After  a  farewell 
discourse  and  intercessory  prayer,  they  left  Jerusalem  for  the  IMount  of  Olives. 
Mt.  26.17-35;  Mk.  14.12-31;  Lk.  22.7-38;  Jn.  13.1-17.26. 

31.  Friday.  About  midnight  in  the  Garden  of  Gethsemane  occurred  the 
agony  of  Jesus,  His  betrayal  and  arrest.  He  was  taken  before  the  Jewish 
authorities,  first  to  the  palace  of  the  high  priest,  where  about  one  in  the 
morning  there  was  a  hearing  before  Annas,  and  then  later  a  trial  before 
Caiaphas.  Here  occurred  the  three  denials  of  Peter.  At  daybreak  Jesus  was 
formally  condemned  by  the  Sanhedrin.  Very  early  in  the  morning  He  was 
taken  to  Pilate  who  made  an  attempt  to  release  Him.  After  being  sent  to 
Herod,  He  was  again  brought  to  Pilate,  who  offered  the  people  their  choice 
of  Jesus  or  Barabbas  and  they  chose  Barabbas.  Pilate  delivered  Him  over  to 
the  soldiers  to  be  mocked  and  scourged,  then  made  his  final  attempt  to  have 
Him  released.  He  was  then  led  away  to  Golgotha  where  at  nine  in  the  morn- 
ing He  was  crucified,  and  at  three  in  the  afternoon  He  died.  He  was  buried 
in  the  tomb  of  Joseph  of  Arithmathea.  ]\It.  26.30-27.61;  Mk.  14.26-15.47;  Lk. 
22.39-23.56;  Jn.  18.1-19.42. 

32.  Saturday.     The  guard  was   stationed  at  the  sepulcher.     Mt.  27.62-66. 

Part  IX.     The  Forty  Days :  from  the  Resurrection  until  the  Ascen- 
sion, Sunday,  April  9,  to  Thursday,  May  18,  A.  D.  30. 

33.  Early  on  Sunday  morning,  April  9,  the  women  visited  the  sepulcher  and 
found  the  stone  rolled  away,  and  had  a  vision  of  angels ;  Peter  and  John  visited 

ix 


CHRONOLOGICAL  LIFE  OF  JESUS 

the  sepulcher;  Jesus  appeared  to  Mary  Magdalene  and  then  to  the  other  women. 
The  guard  made  their  report  to  the  chief  priests.  In  the  afternoon  Jesus  ap- 
peared to  Peter  (i  Cor.  15.5),  and  to  two  disciples  on  their  way  to  Emmaus. 
In  the  evening  He  appeared  to  the  disciples  while  Thomas  was  away,  and  a  week 
later,  April  16,  to  them  in  the  presence  of  Thomas.  The  disciples  departed  to 
Galilee,  and  there  Jesus  appeared  to  seven  of  them  by  the  Sea  of  Galilee.  On  a 
mountain  in  Galilee  He  appeared  to  many  disciples.  The  Ascension  was  from 
the  Mount  of  Olives,  Thursday,  May  18.  Mt.  28.1-20;  Mk.  16. 1-20;  Lk.  23.56- 
2453;  Jn-  20.1-21.25. 


THE   GEOGRAPHY   OF    PALESTINE 
IN   THE   TIME   OF   CHRIST 


SYRIA 

and  the 
.llEDITERltANE.VN  WORT.D 


POSITION  AND  EXTENT 

1.  Location  of  Syria.  At  the  eastern  end  of  the  Mediterranean  is  the 
peninsula  of  Arabia.  The  Greeks  gave  the  name  Syria,  a  shortened  form  of 
Assyria,  to  all  that  part  of  the  peninsula  comprised  in  the  Assyrian  Empire. 
Later  they  limited  the  name  to  the  part  that  lay  west  of  the  Euphrates,  and 
finally  to  Syria  proper,  the  tract  of  land  seventy  to  one  hundred  miles  in 
width,  that  extended  the  length  of  the  Mediterranean  on  the  east,  a  distance  of 
nearly  four  hundred  miles.  A  sea  of  water  was  its  boundary  on  the  west, 
a  sea  of  sand  its  boundary  on  the  east,  while  the  Taurus  Mountains  were 
its  limit  on  the  north,  and  Eg>'pt  was  its  limit  on  the  south. 

2.  Limits  of  Palestine.  The  southern  part  of  Syria  was  Palestine,  limited 
on  the  north  by  the  Mountains  of  Lebanon,  on  the  east  and  south  by  the 
desert,  and  on  the  west  by  the  Great  Sea,  as  the  Mediterranean  was  called  in 
ancient  times.  In  those  days  the  sea,  like  the  desert,  was  a  barrier,  not  a  means 
of  communication  as  at  present. 

Another  limit  was  given  to  Palestine  by  the  Jews  themselves.  As  Dr. 
Edmond  Stapfer  says:  "Outside  the  city  of  Jerusalem  there  was  an  admixture 
of  pagan  population,  and  the  greater  the  distance  from  the  Holy  City  the  more 
the  pagan  element  predominated.  Where  the  population  became  entirely  pagan, 
and  the  Jewish  element  disappeared  altogether,  it  ceased  to  be  Palestine." 

3.  Very  isolated  was  this  little  country  by  its  natural  boundaries,  for  "  Nature 
had  shut  Palestine  in  and  turned  the  key,"  and  yet  it  lay  between  the  great 
nations  of  antiquity :  on  the  one  side  the  Babylonians,  Assyrians,  Medes  and 
Persians;  on  the  other  the  Egyptians,  Phenicians,  Greeks  and  Romans,  and 
across  Palestine  went  the  great  caravan  routes  from  one  to  the  other.  "  These 
nations  were  its  visitors,  its  guests,  its  terrors,  but  they  never  were  its  neigh- 
bors.    Its  neighbors  were  the  sea  and  the  desert." 

4.  Distance   of   Palestine    from  the   United    States.     Palestine   lies   in   the. 

1 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  OF  PALESTINE 

latitude  of  northern  Florida  and  southern  Georgia.  Jerusalem,  the  capital  of 
Palestine,  is  over  seven  thousand  miles  east  and  over  six  hundred  miles  south 
of   Xcw   York  City.     It  lies  a  trifle  south  of  the  latitude  of  Savannah. 

5.  Names  of  Palestine.  The  most  ancient  name  of  Palestine  is  Canaan. 
When  the  ancient  Hebrews  took  possession  of  the  land,  they  called  it  the  Land 
of  the  Hebrews,  or  the  Land  of  Israel.  In  the  Talmuds  (the  writings  of  the 
Jewish  teachers)  it  is  still  spoken  of  as  the  Land  of  Israel,  or  simply  as  The 
Land.  After  the  Exile,  the  name  Israelites  was  changed  to  Jews,  and  the  Land 
of  Israel  was  called  the  Land  of  Judah,  for  only  the  tribes  of  Judah  and  Ben- 
jamin had  returned  from  the  captivity. 

6.  We  are  indebted  to  the  Greeks  for  our  modern  name  of  Palestine.  They 
called  the  southern  part  of  Syria,  Syria  Palaistine    (meaning  that  part  of  Syria 


inhabited  by  the  Philistines),  and  later  used  the  adjective  Palaistine  alone  to 
designate  the  region.  The  Romans  changed  the  name  to  Palestina,  whence  our 
word  Palestine.  From  the  prophet  Zechariah  (Zcch.  2.12)  comes  the  term 
The  Holy  Land.     In  Hebrews  11.  9  it  is  called  the  Land  of  Promise. 

7.  Size  of  Palestine.  The  word  Palestine  is  used  both  for  Western 
Palestine,  the  part  west  of  the  Jordan,  and  for  Palestine  proper,  whicli  inchulv^s 
a  section  east  of  the  Jordan. 

8.  Western  Palestine  has  about  the  same  area  as  the  State  of  New  Jersey 
(New  Jersey,  7,455  sq.  m. ;  Palestine,  6,400  sq.  m.).  In  the  diagram  on  the 
next  page.   New  Jersey  and   Western   Palestine  are   drawn   to  the  same   scale. 

2 


IN   THE  TIME  OF  CHRIST 


The  area  of  Palestine  proper  is  nearly  twelve  thousand  square  miles.     Belgium 
and  .Marjiand  have  each  about  the  same  area. 

9.  The  greatest  length  of  Western  Palestine  is  one  hundred  and  sixty  miles, 
and  its  average  width  forty  miles.  It  is,  as  you  see,  a  very  small  country,  for 
its  length  could  be  crossed  by  rail  in  less  than  six  hours  and  its  breadth  in  less 
than  two  hours.  From  its  highest  mountain  peaks  a  glimpse  of  almost  the 
entire  country  can  be  had.  After  Christ  was  brought  back  in  infancy  from 
Egypt,  His  whole  life  was  spent  within  this  small  territory. 

10.  Map  Work.  Copy  one  of  the  outline  maps  of  Palestine  on  page 
33,  either  by  drawing  it  or  by  putting  over  it  a  paper  thin  enough  to  show  the 
lines    beneath    and    then    tracing    them.      Notice    how 

nearly  straight  the  coast-line  is.  About  a  third  of  the 
distance  down  from  the  north  there  is  a  curve  in  this 
coast-line;  the  projection  westward  is  made  by  Mount 
Carmel.  The  curve  is  for  the  Bay  of  Acre.  Write 
these  names  on  your  map,  and  west  of  the  coast  write 
the  words  Mediterranean  Sea.  Notice  that  the  south- 
ern line  on  the  map  is  a  little  more  than  twice  as  long 
as  the  northern  line  east  of  the  coast.  Write  90  miles 
bclov  the  southern  line,  and  45  miles  above  the  eastern 
part  of  your  northern  line.  Draw  the  northern  bound- 
ary cf  Palestine. 

11.  Directly  east  of  Mount  Carmel  is  the  Sea  of  Gali- 
lee, south  of  this  lake  is  the  Dead  Sea,  and  north  of 
it  the  little  Lake  Huleh.  Draw  and  name  these  lakes, 
and  the  River  Jordan,  which  rises  above  Lake  Huleh 
and  flows  southward  through  the  two  lakes  and  on 
into  the  Dead  Sea.  Notice  the  land  which  projects 
into  the  Dead  Sea  on  the  southeast.  The  Arab  name 
for  this  projection  means  "  The  Tongue." 

12.  Make  a  dotted  line  from  Mount  Carmel  to  the  Sea  of  Galilee  and  above 
it  write  the  distance,  30  miles.  Make  another  dotted  line  from  the  coast  to  the 
northern  end  of  the  Dead  Sea,  and  above  it  write  35  miles. 

13.  Practise  drawing  this  map  till  you  can  do  it  quickly  and  accurately.  Fill 
out  the  first  outline  map  on  page  ;^Ti  with  these  names  and  distances. 


Western     Palestine     Com- 
pared with   New  Jersey 


14.  Review  Questions.  By  what  names  has  Palestine  been  known  ?  How  did  it  receive 
the  name  of  Palestine?  On  what  continent  is  it?  Between  what  two  other  continents?  On 
what  peninsula?  In  what  part  of  Syria?  In  the  latitude  of  what  part  of  the  United  States? 
How  far  east  of  New  York  is  Jerusalem?  How  far  south?  In  the  latitude  of  what  city 
of  the  United  States?  Between  what  great  nations  of  antiquity  did  Palestine  lie?  In  what 
direction   was  each   from    Palestine? 

15.  What  is  the  northern  limit  of  Palestine?  Eastern?  Southern?  Western?  What  did 
the  Jews  regard  as  its  limits?  What  is  the  g.eatest  length  of  Western  Palestine?  Greatest 
width?  How  long  by  rail  would  it  take  to  cross  Palestine  in  each  direction?  \\'hat  is  its 
greatest  area?  What  State  has  the  area  of  Palestine?  What  country?  What  river  system 
divides  Palestine  into  two  parts?  V/hat  is  the  area  of  I'.'estern  Palestine?  What  State  has 
about   the   same   area? 

16.  What  three  lakes  form  part  of  the  Jordan  River  System?  How  far  from  the  Med- 
iterranean is  the  Sea  of  Galilee?  The  Dead  Sea?  What  mountain  is  soutli,  of  the  bend  in 
the  coast?  What  bay  north  of  it?  Which  lake  is  directly  east  of  this  bay  and  moun- 
tain? 

3 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  OF  PALESTINE 


PHYSICAL  FEA  rURES 

Four   Parallel  Regions 
17.  The    Character    of   Each    Region.     To    understand    the    geography   of 
Palestine   it   is    important   to    keep    in   mind    the    four    distinct,    parallel    regions 

which  extend  across  it  from  north  to 
south.  The  diagram  shows:  (i)  The 
Maritime  (Sea  Coast)  Plain;  (2)  the 
Central  Range;  (3)  the  Jordan  Valley; 
and  (4)  the  Eastern  Range.  The  dia- 
gram shows  also  the  Plain  of  Esdraelon, 
which  extends  southeastward  north  of 
Mount  Carmel,  breaking  through  the 
Central  Range,  and  uniting  the  Jordan 
Valley   with   the   Maritime   Plain. 

18.  In     crossing     Palestine     eastward 
from    the    sea,    one    traverses    the    low, 
level   plain  along   the   coast,   mounts   to 
the  summit  of  the   Central   Range,  and 
then  descends  quickly  to  the  deep  Jordan 
Valley,  far  below  the  level  of  the  Med- 
iterranean   Sea,   and   after   crossing   the 
Jordan   River   and   the   eastern   part   of 
the     Jordan     Valley     climbs     up     again 
through  a   steep  canyon  to   the  heights 
of    the    Eastern    Range.     The    diagrams 
on    this    page    show    the    varying    levels 
across    Palestine :    the   first    in   the   lati- 
tude of  the  Sea  of  Galilee ;  the  second 
in  the  latitude  of  the  Dead  Sea. 
19.  Map  Work.     On   the    third    outline    map,    page    32^    (after    making   sev- 
eral  practice   maps)    locate  and  name   Mount   Carmel.     On   either   side   of  the 
Jordan  River  sketch   the  dotted  lines  which   indicate  the  Valley  of  the  Jordan, 
as  shown  in  the  diagram  on  this  page.     Next  indicate  by  dotted  lines  the  Plain 

•4000  fti 

-«aoo 

-*J00 
.^000 


The  Four   Physical   Regions 


Section  East  and  West,  Latitude  of  Mt.  Carmel 

of  Esdraelon.     By  a  dotted  line  show  the  eastern  edge  of  the  Maritime  Plain. 
Name  each  physical  region  which  you  have  thus  marked  off  on  your  map. 

■n»thl»hpm  MOUNT  NEBO 


2600  ft. 

Section  East  and  West,  Latitude  of  Dead  Sea 

4 


IN  THE  TIME  OF  CHRIST 

Thf  Makitime  Plain 

20.  Character  of  the  Plain.  Tliis  plain  aloiii:;  tlie  coast  is  only  a  few 
hmulrcd  feet,  at  most,  above  the  sea.  Tliere  is  a  beacli  but  two  hundred  yards 
witle  between  tlie  end  of  iMount  Carmcl  and  the  sea,  and  a  third  of  the  distance 
n;irtli  of  Mount  Carmel  in  tbe  diagram  (page  33)  a  l)ol(l  promontory, 
called  the  "  Ladder  of  Tyre "  comes  near  the  sea.  South  of  the  Ladder  of 
Tyre  the  plain  widens,  and  it  widens  rapidly  again  south  of  Mount  Carmel. 
Turn  to  the  large  relief  map,  and  notice  the  extent  of  the  Maritime  Plain  and 
the  two  places  wliere  it  is  narrowest.  A  little  more  than  half-way  down  the 
coast  south  of  Carmel  is  the  city  of  Joppa.  See  the  large  colored  map  of 
Palestine.  South  of  Joppa  tiic  plain  is  called  Philistia,  north  of  it,  Sharon, 
while  north  of  Carmel  ii  is  the  Plain  of  Phenicia. 

21.  Along  the  coast,  almost  throughout  its  length,  there  is  a  strip  of  sand 
from  whicli  in  places  long  tongues  of  sand  run  inland.  The  soil  of  the 
rest  of  the  plain  is  well  watered  and  very  fertile,  producing  fruitful  grain  fields 
and  orchards.  In  the  northern  part  of  the  Plain  of  Sharon  there  is  a  marsh, 
and  in  the  very  north  are  the  remains  of  an  oak  forest  that  once  wholly 
covered  the  plain. 

22.  While  many  Jews  lived  on  this  plain  in  the  time  of  Christ,  they  were 
strangers  here,  for  in  Old  Testament  times  it  was  never  inhabited  by  the 
Israelites.  It  has  been  a  famous  path,  and  over  it  have  marched  the  armies 
of  Thothmes,   Rameses,   Sennacherib,   Cambyscs,  Alexander,   Pompey,   Napoleon. 

23.  Map  Work.  On  the  fourth  outline  map,  page  33,  mark  ofT  the  four 
physical  regions  and  the  Plain  of  Esdraelon.  Locate  Mount  Carmel,  the  Ladder 
of  Tyre,  and  Joppa.     Name  the  three  divisions  of  the  Maritime  Plain. 

24.  Procure  Japanese  transparent  water  colors,  or  crayons  that  will  not  rub 
off,  four  shades  of  one  color  and  one  of  blue.  On  the  large  outline  relief  map, 
page  37,  color  the  water  blue.  Color  the  Maritime  Plain  with  your  second 
darkest  shade  of  the  other  color,  and  also  the  strip  in  the  square  at  the  left  of 
the  map  whicii  represents  the  lieight  of  the  plain,  l^etween  o  and  600  feet. 

The  Central  Range 

25.  The  Lebanon  Mountains.  Tn  Syria  beyond  the  boundary  of  Palestine 
are  two  lofty,  parallel  ranges  of  mountains  separated  by  a  broad  plateau,  the 
Lebanon  and  Anti-Lebanon  Mountains.  Their  extensions  southward  are  the 
Central  Range  and  the  Eastern  Range  of  Palestine. 

Although  these  mountains  are  outside  the  limits  of  Palestine,  they  belong 
to  a  study  of  its  geogra;;liy,  because  they  have  so  great  an  influence  on  its 
climate  and  character.  Upon  them  the  vapor-laden  winds  from  the  Mediter- 
ranean deposit  their  moisture,  and  it  is  carried  down  the  Jordan  Valley  by  the 
Jordan  River. 

26.  Divisions  of  the  Central  Range.  The  Central  Range,  although  the 
western  of  the  two  ranges  of  Palestine,  is  called  central  because  historically  it 
has  been  the  center  of  the  land,  the  region  where  most  of  the  Israelites  lived. 
On  the  west  the  descent  to  the  Maritime  Plain  is  gradual ;  on  the  east  the 
descent  to  the  Jordan  Valley  is  short  and  precipitous. 

27.  In  the  north  the  Central  Range  is  a  plateau  walled  by  hills,  whose  highest 
peaks  are  4000  feet ;  then  comes  ranges  running  east  and  west,  about  a  thousand 
feet   lower,    which    si:-.k    to    the    Plain   of    E-draelon.     South    of    Esdraelon    the 

5 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  OF  TALESTINE 

Central  Range  consists  of  a  network  of  mountains  and  valleys,  and  then  be- 
comes  a  tableland  about  2500  feet  high,  which  sinks  gradually  to  the  south. 
28.  The  changes  in  the  Central  Range  divide  Palestine  west  of  the  Jordan 
into  three  natural  divisions:  north  of  the  Plain  of  Esdraelon  it  is  known  as 
Galilee :  the  network  of  mountains  in  the  center  is  Samaria  :  and  the  tableland 
in  the  south  is  Judea.  The  diagram  shows  the  changes  in  level  across  the 
country  from  north  to  south  in  the  longitude  of  Jerusalem. 


MOO 


LOWER  \-1>*^^^*'*S  .^^  O^ 


.SV((   I.,  r.  I 


Sectidii    North   and    Scnitli,    Longitude   of   Jerusalem 

29.  The  Low  Hills.  South  of  the  latitude  of  Joppa  the  Central  Range 
is  separated  on  the  west  by  shallow  valleys  from  low,  rounded  hills,  three 
hundred   to   five   hundred    feet   high,   called    the   Low    Hills   or   The    Shephelah. 


COAST   PLAIN 


Low  Hills  Central  Range 

Section   East  and  ^\■est,   Showing  the  Low   Hills 


y/. 


'^m^y^^y^y 


Between   Joppa   and   Mount   Carmel   the   low   hills   continue,  but   they   are   foot- 
hills  of  the   Central   Range,  with   no  intervening  valley. 

30.  Map  Work.  On  the  fourth  map,  page  2>i^  locate  and  name  the  Lebanon 
and  Anti-Lebanon  Mountains.  Write  the  words  Mount  Hcnnon  at  the  base 
of  the  Anti-Lebanon  range.  Across  the  Central  Range  write  the  names  of  its 
three  natural  divisions.  On  the  western  part  of  Judca  b^low  the  latitude  of 
Joppa  write  Loiv  Hills. 

31.  On  the  outline  relief  map,  page  37,  color  the  Central  Range  like  the 
colored  relief  map.  On  the  first  section  east  of  the  Maritime  Plain  use  the 
next  to  the  lightest  shade,  and  also  in  the  section  at  the  left  of  the  map  which 
shows  its  height,  between  600  and  1500  feet.  Leave  uncolorcd  the  Plain  of 
Esdraelon,  which  breaks  through  the  range.  On  the  next  section  east,  and  on 
the  section  at  the  left  which  shows  its  height,  between  1500  and  3000  feet, 
use  your  ligbtest  shade.  Leave  white  Mount  Lebanon  and  the  mountains  in 
Judea  which  are  over  3000  feet  high. 

32.  Review  Questions.  Name  the  four  different  physical  regions  of  Palestine.  In  what 
direction  do  they  e.xtcnd?  What  is  the  character  of  each?  What  is  the  name  of  the  plain 
which  breaks  through  the  Central  Range?  What  is  the  name  of  the  section  on  the  south 
between  the  Maritime  Plain  and  the  Central  Range?  What  separates  it  from  the  Central 
Range?      Describe  the  changes  in   level  between  the  coast  and  the   Eastern   Range. 

33.  How  high  is  the  Maritime  Plain?  What  two  projections  nearly  reach  the  Sea?  Where 
are  the  widest  parts  of  the  plain?  Where  is  Joppa?  What  is  the  plain  called  south  of  Joppa? 
North  of  it?  North  of  Mount  Carmel?  What  is  the  character  of  the  soil?  Describe  the 
Plain  of   Sharon. 

34.  What  two  mountain  ranges  lie  north  of  Palestine?  What  efTect  on  the  climate  of 
Palestine   have  they?     What  are  the  ranges  southward  called?     Why   has  the  Central    Range 

6 


IN  THE  TIME  OF  CHRIST 

received  this  name  when  it  is  the  western  range?  Of  what  three  distinct  regions  does  the 
Central  Range  consist?  Name  and  describe  each.  Where  are  the  Low  Hills?  What  sep- 
arates them  from  the  Central  Range?  What  is  tlic  nature  of  the  eastern  slope  of  the  Central 
Range?     Of  the   western  slope? 


Plain    of    Esdraeloii 


The  Plain  of  Esuraelon 

35.  Character  and  History  of  the  Plain.  The  Plain  of  Esdraelon  is  a 
triangular  plain  between  Mount  Carmel  and  the  Valley  of  the  Jordan,  from 
which  stretches  of  plain  run  out  in  every  direction.  Its  apex  is  north  of 
Mount  Carmel.  On  the  north  a  low  ridge  separates  it  from  the  Phenician 
coast  plain  and  leads  up  to  the  Galilean  Hills,  which  form  a  steep  wall  a 
thousand  feet  high,  with  the  rounded  dome  of  Mount  Tabor  in  the  northeast. 
On      the      south      are 

Mount  Carmel  ami 
the  lower  hills  of  Sa- 
maria which  curve 
around  and  end  in 
Mount  Gilboa  on  the 
southeast.  Between 
Blount  Gilboa  and 
Mount  Tabor,  partly 
blocking  the  way  to 
the  Jordan,  are  low 
hills  with  Little  Her- 
mon  (called  the  Hill 
of  Moreh  in  the  Old 
Testament)  on  the 
west. 

36.  The  plain  is  well  irrigated  by  the  River  Kishon,  a  turbulent  stream  in 
winter  and  only  a  muddy  ditch  in  summer,  and  also  by  numerous  springs,  so 
that  the  soil  is  very  fertile.  The  plain  is  noted  for  its  abundant  harvests,  but 
far  more  famed  is  it  as  the  great  battle-field  of  the  East.  It  affords  an  open 
passage  from  the  coast  to  the  Jordan,  and  is  "  a  vast  theater,  with  its  clearly- 
defined  stage,  with  its  proper  exits  and  entrances."  More  battles  have  bjcn 
fought  here  than  on  any  other  battle-field  of  the  world.  "  Here  for  four 
thousand  years  was  the  great  trail  of  the  nation,"  says  Mr.  William  Eleroy 
Curtis.  "  It  naturally  became  the  arena  of  war  between  the  lowlanders,  who 
trusted  in  their  chariots;  the  Ishmaelites  who  fought  from  their  saddles;  and 
the  Israelite  highlanders  of  the  surrounding  mountains."  On  the  diagram, 
notice  the  location  of  Nazareth,  where  Christ  lived  before  His  public  ministry. 
From  the  hills  south  of  Nazareth  He  must  have  often  looked  across  this  plain, 
and  during  His  ministry  He  must  have  often  walked  across  it. 

37.  Mount  Carmel.  The  name  Carmel  means  garden,  for  in  ancient 
times  Mount  Carmel  was  well  cultivated.  In  the  Book  of  Kings  is  told  the 
story  of  the  contest  here  fought  out  as  to  whether  Jehovah  or  Baal  had  the 
elements  in  control.  Dr.  George  Adam  Smith  in  his  Historical  Geography  of 
the  Holy  Land  thus  describes  the  mountain  and  the  view  from  its  summit. 
"  Some  hills  suggest  immovableness,  while  others,  with  their  long,  greyhound 
backs,  are  full  of  motion.  It  is  the  peculiarity  of  Carmel  to  impress  those  who 
look  upon   it  with   the  sense  of  one   long  stride   across   the   plain   and   a   firm 

7' 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  OF  PALESTINE 

foothold  upon  the  sea.  Before  him  who  stands  on  its  summit  Nature  rises  in 
a  scries  of  great  stages  from  sea  to  Alp:  the  Mediterranean,  the  long  coast 
from  nortli  to  south,  with  its  hot  sands  and  plains ;  Esdraelon,  covered  with 
wheat;  Tabor  and  the  lower  hills  of  Galilee  with  their  oaks, —  then,  looking 
northeastward  over  the  barer  peaks  of  Upper  Galilee  and  the  haze  that  is  about 
them,  the  clear  snow  of  Hermon  appears,  hanging  like  an  only  cloud  in  the 
sky." 

38.  Mount  Tabor.  "  Like  Tabor  among  the  mountains  and  Carmel.  by 
the  sea,"  is  one  of  the  expressions  used  in  the  Book  of  Jeremiah.  Mount 
Tabor  towers  1800  feet  above  the  Plain  of  Esdraelon,  a  beautiful,  symmetrically 
shaped  mountain. 

39.  Map  Work.  On  the  fifth  outline  map,  page  35,  indicate  the  sections 
of  higher  land  which  surround  the  Plain  of  Esdraelon,  and  name  the  sea,  the 
lake,  the  two  rivers,  the  four  mountains,  and  the  city  given  in  the  diagram  on 
page  7. 

40.  On  the  fourth  map,  page  ^3,  indicate  by  crossed  lines  (x)  the  position 
of  Mount  Tabor,  Little  Hermon,  and  Mount  Gilboa. 

41.  On  the  large  outline  relief  map,  page  37,  color  the  Plain  of  Esdraelon  like 
the  Maritime  Plain. 

The  Jord.xn  V.\LiLEY 

42.  The  Chasm.  The  Jordan  Valley,  through  which  the  Jordan  River 
flows,  is  a  deep,  colossal  chasm  from  five  to  fifteen  miles  broad.  It  extends 
throughout  the  length  of  Palestine.  See  the  large  relief  map.  Just  below 
Lake  Huleh  the  valley  sinks  below  sea  level ;  at  the  Sea  of  Galilee  it  is  680 
feet  below,  and  at  the  Dead  Sea  it  reaches  a  depth  of  1300  feet  (1292),  a  quarter 
of  a  mile,  below  the  Mediterranean,  the  lowest  valley  on  the  surface  of  the 
earth.  "  No  other  part  of  the  earth's  land  surface  sinks  much  over  three 
hundred  feet  below  the  level  of  the  sea ; "  says  Dr.  George  Adam  Smith. 
"  there  may  be  something  on  the  surface  of  another  planet  to  match  the 
Jordan  Valley  —  there  is  nothing  on  this."  Below  the  Dead  Sea  the  valley 
rises  to  300  feet  above  sea  level,  and  then  sinks  to  the  Gulf  of  Akabah,  the 
eastern  arm  of  the  Red  Sea. 

43.  The  Lower  Jordan  Valley.  The  Arabs  call  the  Lower  Jordan  Valley, 
between  the  Sea  of  Galilee  and  the  Dead  Sea,  El  Ghor,  the  Rift,  or  the  De- 
pression. Upon  its  western  edge  rises  the  Central  Range,  from  800  to  15PO 
feet  above  the  floor  of  the  valley,  broken  only  by  the  Plain  of  Esdraelon. 
and  on  its  eastern  edge  rises  the  Eastern  Range,  2000  feet  above  the  valley. 
broken  only  by  the  valleys  of  the  Yarmuk  and  the  Jabbok. 

44.  The  heat  in  this  valley  is  intense  from  early  spring  till  late  autumn. 
Swamps  are  numerous,  and  wherever  there  is  water,  vegetation  is  rank,  grow- 
ing as  high  as  one's  shoulders.  Towards  the  Dead  Sea  the  ground  is  en- 
crusted with  salt,  and  the  Hebrew  name  of  Arabah,  meaning  the  Desert,  is  most 
appropriate. 

45.  Map  Work.  On  the  outline  relief  map  color  the  Jordan  Valley  with 
your  darkest  shade.  Color  also  the  section  at  the  left  of  the  map  which  indi- 
cates its  depth,  from  o  to  I2Q2  feet  below  sea  level.  Color  the  very  narrow 
strip  of  land  adjoining  that  below  sea  level  so  as  to  indicate  that  its 
height  is  the  same  as  that  of  the  Maritime  Plain  and  the  Plain  of  Esdraelon. 

8 


From  stereograph   copyright  by    Underwood  &   Undem-ood,   A'ezv   York 

M.OUNT  TABOR  AND  VILLAGE  OF  NAIN 


IN    THE  TIME  OF  CHRIST 

46.  Review  Questions.  What  stparates  the  plain  of  Ksdraclon  from  the  Maritime  I'lain? 
What  limits  it  on  the  north?  On  the  south?  On  the  east?  What  four  mountains  overlook 
the  plain?  Describe  Mount  Carniel.  Mount  Tabor.  By  what  river  is  the  plain  watered? 
l-ur  what  is  the  plain  noted? 

47.  What  is  the  height  of  the  Jordan  \allcy  at  Lake  llukh?  What  is  its  dcj.th  just 
below  that  lake?  At  the  Sea  of  Galilee?  At  the  Dead  Sea?  Below  the  Dead  Sea  what  is  its 
level?  What  do  the  Arabs  call  the  Lower  Jordan  X'al'.ey  and  what  does  its  name  mean? 
Describe  its  western  wall.     Its  eastern.     Its  surface. 


The  Jokua.n  River  System 

48.  The  Upper  Jordan  River  and  Lake  Huleh.  Four  streams  unite  be- 
fore entering  Lake  Huleh,  and  each  one  is  claimed  as  tlie  source  of  the  Jordan. 
Lake  Huleh  is  an  expansion  of  tlie  river,  about  three  by  four  miles  in  arv.i. 
In  the  Old  Testament  it  is  called  "  the  waters  of  Merom."  Swamps  and 
jungles  of  papyrus  reeds  surround  the  lake.  Here  is  fo;:r.d  the  largest  mass 
of  papyrus  reeds  in  the  world  —  ihe  material  from  which  tlie  first  writing  paper 
was  made. 

49.  The  word  Jordan  means  the  Descender,  the  Down-Comer;  in  the  t-n 
miles  between  Lake  Huleh  and  the  Sea  of  Galilee  it  falls  six  hundred  r.nd 
eighty  feet.  The  deposits  which  it  brings  down  in  its  tunniltous  course  have 
formed  a  delta  through  which  it  hastens  into  the  Sea  of  Galilee. 

50.  The  Sea  of  Galilee.  This  is  the  most  famous  of  all  the  inland  waters 
of  the  earth.  "  Jehovah  hath  cre- 
ated seven  seas,"  said  the  rabbis, 
"  but  the  Sea  of  Gennesaret  is  His 
delight."  It  is  pear-shaped,  or 
harp-shaped,  and  in  the  Old  Tes- 
tament is  called  the  Sea  of  Chin- 
ncrcth,  from  Kiniior,  the  Hebrew 
word  for  harp.  It  is  called  the 
Sea  of  Galilee  from  the  province, 
the  Lake  of  Gennesaret  from  the 
plain,  and  the  Sea  of  Tiberias 
from  the  city,  all  on  its  western 
shore.  The  lake  is  thirteen  miles 
long  and  eight  miles  wide  in  its 
greatest    width. 

51.  The  Sea  of  Galilee  is  sur- 
rounded by  hills,  but  between 
them  and  the  lake  there  is  a 
beach.  Passing  around  the  lake  to 
the  left,  one  crosses  on  the  north- 
west the  beautiful  Plain  of  Gen- 
nesaret, a  famous  plain  called  by  Josephus  "  that  unparalleled  garden  of  God." 
Its  name  means  ''  Garden  of  Abundance."  About  five  miles  away  from  the 
Sea  of  Galilee,  southwest  of  Magdala,  is  Karn  Hattin,  or  the  Horns  of  Hattin, 
the  traditional  "  Mountain  of  the  Beatitudes "  where  Christ  delivered  the 
Sermon  on  t!ie  Mount.  Between  its  two  elevations,  or  "  horns,"  there  is  a 
depression  which  forms  a  natural  amphitheater  where  thousands  could  recline 
upon   the  grass.     The  green  slopes  about   the   lake   soon    change   to   the   dark. 


Around    the    Sea    of    Galilee 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  OF  PALESTINE 


imprisoning  cliffs  at  Tiberias.  Then  tlie  ribbon-like  coast  widens  at  the  southern 
end  where  the  Jordan  valley,  four  miles  wide,  stretches  away  southward.  On 
the  eastern  side  of  the  lake  the  wall  of  hills  is  higher  than  on  the  western  side, 
rising  to  a  height  of  a  thousand  feet  or  more.  On  the  northeast  is  the  plain 
of  El-Batihah,  the  traditional   site  where  Christ  fed   the  five  thousand. 

52.  In   the   time   of   Christ   the   shores  of   the   lake   were   green   and   fruitful. 

The  country  was  well  wooded,  and  Josephus  says  the  climate  was  very  pleasant. 

Now  the  shores  are   a  wilderness.     The  heat  from  April  to  July  is  intolerable, 

travelers  tell   us,  and  Dr.  James   Stapfer  says  the  mosquitoes  and  flies  are  so 

troublesome   that   one   can   well    understand   how,    in   this 

country,    the    devil    came    to    be    called    the    god    of    flies, 

Beelzebub.     "  Where  there  are  now  no  trees,  in  the  time 

of    Christ    there    were    great    woods ;    where    there    are 

marshes,  there  were  noble  gardens ;   where  there  is  but  a 

boat   or   two,    there    were   fleets    of   sails ;    where   there    is 

one    town    (Tiberias)    and   not   more    than   three    or    four 

very    small    villages,    there    were    nine    or    ten    flourishmg 

towns,"    says    Dr.    Smith.     Even   the   site   of   some   of   the 

cities  can  not  now  be  determined. 

53.  Map  Work.  On  the  sixth  map,  page  35,  draw 
the  limit  of  the  level  land  surrounding  the  Sea  of  Galilee, 
and  name  the  plain  on  the  northeast  and  the  one  on  the 
northwest.  Locate  and  name  Karn  Hattin,  Magdala,  and 
Til)erias. 

54.  The  Lower  Jordan.  From  the  Sea  of  Galilee  to 
the  Dead  Sea  is  a  distance  of  sixty-five  miles,  but  the 
Jordan  River  here  makes  so  many  twists  and  turns  that 
it  is  two  hundred  miles  long.  "  As  if  sensible  of  his  sad 
fate,  and  desirous  to  defer  what  he  can  not  avoid,"  an 
old  writer  quaintij'  remarks,  "  he  fetcheth  many  turnings 
and  windings,  but  all  will  not  avail  him  from  falling  into 
the  Dead  Sea."  It  is  a  swift,  turbulent  river;  near  the 
Sea  of  Galilee  it  falls  forty  feet  a  mile,  and  in  the  sixty- 
five  miles  it  falls  six  hundred  and  ten  feet.  A  dense 
jungle  marks  the  limit  of  the  river  in  flood  time  (April), 
while  mud  banks  and  driftwood  line  its  usual  narrower 
bed. 

55.  The  Dead  Sea.  How  far  east  of  the  Mediter- 
ranean is  this  lake?  (Page  3.)  It  is  forty-seven  miles 
long  and  about  ten  miles  in  average  width.  In  the  Old 
Testament  it  is  called  the  Salt  Sea.  Its  surface,  as  we 
have  seen,  is  about  thirteen  hundred  feet  below  the  sea 
level,  but  its  bottom  is  about  thirteen  hundred  feet  lower 

still  at  the  entrance  of  the  Jordan,  brom  this  point  it  shelves  rapidly  upward 
to  only  eight  to  fourteen  feet  in  depth  at  the  southern  end. 

56.  It  is  said  that  no  lake  looks  so  blue  and  beautiful  as  do  the  waters  of  the 
Dead  Sea.  It  is  several  times  as  salt  as  the  ocean,  for  while  it  receives  four 
or  five  small  streams  besides  the  Jordan  River  it  has  no  outlet,  and  th^ 
constant  evaporation   due   to  the   excessive  heat  of  the  valley   leaves   the   water 

10 


Jordan     River 
System 


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IN  THE  TIME  OF  CHRIST 

biiter  with  brine.  It  is  cstinialcd  that  six  niilHon  tons  uf  water  ascend  daily 
in  vapor.  "  There  it  lies,"  says  a  traveler,  "  and  with  wide  open  mouth 
swallows  the  whole  of  the  fresh  waters  of  the  Jordan  and  all  the  snows  of 
Hermon,  and  yet  it  is  not  a  whit  sweeter  or  larger  for  it!  The  Sea  of  Galilee 
receives  the  Jordan  and  passes  il  along.  The  Dead  Sea  receives,  but  gives  not. 
It  sends  out  not  one  rill  to  gladden  or  refresh  the  waste  around  it."  No  fish 
can  live  in  the  lake,  and  so  great  is  the  density  of  the  water  that  no  one  was 
ever  drowned  in  it,  though  the  bather,  just  as  in  our  Great  Salt  Lake,  has  to 
make  a  constant  effort  to  keep  his  head  from  going  under. 

57.  Along  the  shore  there  is,  of  course,  no  vegetation.  There  are  deposits  of 
sulphur  and  bitumen,  and  here  and  there  tall  figures  of  salt.  Naturally  one  of 
thcni  is  called  "  Lot's  Wife."  The  Arabs  to-day  call  the  lake  Balir  Litt,  the 
Lake  of  Lot. 

58.  Map  Work.  On  page  35,  copy  the  diagram  of  the  Jordan  River 
System.  Insert  the  figures  showing  the  length  of  each  lake  and  the  distances 
between  them. 

The  Eastern  Range 

59.  Character  and  Extent.  This  has  been  called  by  Dr.  Smith  "  the  most 
novel  feature  of  the  Holy  Land,  the  elevating  and  solemn  background  of  all 
that  is  poor  and  mean  in  the  scenery  of  Western  Palestine."  "  Who  that  has 
ever  traveled  in  Palestine  has  not  longed  to  cross  the  Jordan  Valley  to  those 
mysterious  hills  which  close  every  eastward  view  with  their  long,  horizontal 
outline,  their  ever  shadowing  heights,  their  deep,  purple  shade?"  Dean  Stanley 
asks.  In  the  far  northern  part  rises  the  great  white  dome  of  Mount  Hermon. 
"  the  King  of  Syria."  It  is  the  southern  end  of  the  Anti-Lebanon  Range,  or 
"  Lebanon  toward  the  Sun-rising,"  and  is  the  loftiest  mountain  in  Palestine, 
towering  over  nine  thousand  feet  above  the  sea.  Parts  of  it  are  covered  with 
snow  the  year  round.  Two  of  the  sources  of  the  Jordan  are  at  its  base.  The 
Eastern  Range  extends  from  Hermon  to  the  lower  end  of  the  Dead  Sea,  and 
eastward  to  the  edge  of  the  desert,  varying  in  width  from  thirty  to  eighty  miles. 
Its  area  is  about  the  same  as  that  of  Western  Palestine.  Its  average  elevation 
is  2000  feet  above  the  sea,  and  much  more  above  the  Jordan  Valley,  while 
some  of  its  peaks  tower  to  a  height  of  4000  feet.  The  western  margin  of  the 
Range  is  made  still  higher  by  extinct  volcanoes.  Near  the  northern  end  of  the 
Dead  Sea  is  Mount  Ncbo,  where  Moses  beheld  the  Promised  Land  and  died. 
Because  of  its  elevation  the  Eastern  Range  has  a  temperate  climate. 

60.  Rivers.  Three  large  rivers  cross  the  eastern  plateau  and  enter  the 
Jordan,  the  Yarmuk,  the  Jabbok,  and  the  Arnon.  The  Arnon  crosses  the 
plateau  in  a  deep  canyon  fifty  miles  long.  "The  cliffs  on  either  side  rise  from 
1500  to  3000  feet,  broken  at  places  with  impassable,  short  ravines  running 
north  and  south.  Its  valley  has  no  equal  on  earth  except  the  Grand  Canyon 
of  the  Colorado,  which  is  more  extensive."  The  Jabbok  River  is  sixty  miles 
long,  and  flows  in  a  deep  ravine  with  a  somewhat  rapid  course.  Its  namj 
means  "  The  Struggler,"  and  was  given  it  because  of  the  difficulty  which  it 
seems  to  have  in  finding  a  way  through  the  steep  hills.  The  Yarmuk  has  almost 
as  great  a  volume  of  water  as  the  Jordan. 

61.  Map  Work.  On  the  tmirtli  map.  page  '■)?>.  draw  and  name  the  ihree 
rivers  that  cross  the  Eastern  Range.     Locate  Mount  Hermon  and  Mount  Nebo. 

11 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  OF  PALESTINE 

62.  On  the  large  outline  relief  map,  color  the  Eastern  Range  like  the  colored 
relief  map,  leaving  white  the  mountains  over  3000  feet. 

63.  Review  Questions.  What  does  the  word  Jordan  mean?  Where  does  the  river  rise? 
What  distance  does  it  traverse  betvi'een  Lake  Huleh  and  the  Sea  of  Galilee?  How  many  feet 
does  it  fall  in  this  distance?  How  far  is  it  between  the  Sea  of  Galilee  and  the  Dead  Sea? 
How  many  miles  long  is  the  river  in  its  course  between  these  lakes?  What  marks  the  limit 
of  the  river  in  flood  time? 

64.  How  large  is  Lake  Huleh?  Sea  of  Galilee?  Dead  Sea?  What  is  found  in  Lake 
Huleh?  Describe  the  plain  surrounding  the  Sea  of  Galilee.  Where  is  the  traditional  place 
where  the  Sermon  on  the  Mount  was  given?  How  does  the  appearance  of  the  plain  about 
the  Sea  of  Galilee  differ  now  from  its  appearance  in  the  time  of  Christ?  How  deep  below 
the  Mediterranean  is  the  surface  of  the  Dead  Sea?  How  deep  is  the  bottom  of  the  lake? 
What  makes  its  water  so  salt?     Describe  its  shores. 

65.  What  mountain  range  at  the  north  of  the  Eastern  Range?  What  is  the  height  of  its 
highest  peak?  What  is  the  extent  and  area  of  the  Eastern  Range?  Its  average  elevation? 
Where  is  Mount  Nebo?  What  three  large  rivers  cross  the  plateau?  Describe  the  Jabbok. 
The  Arnon. 

CLIMATE 

66.  Temperature.  The  temperature  of  this  little  country  varies  greatly, 
owing  to  its  varying  altitudes.  From  the  Lower  Jordan  Valley  (1292  ft. 
below  sea  level),  where  the  temperature  may  reach  118  degrees  in  summer,  and 
that  great  steaming  caldron,  the  Dead  Sea,  is  sending  up  its  vapors,  one  may 
look  up  to  Mount  Hermon,  at  the  other  end  of  the  valley  (9200  ft.  above  the 
sea),  with  its  snow  and.  glaciers.  Dr.  George  Adam  Smith  thus  graphically 
tells  of  the  changes  in  temperature  experienced  in  a  trip  of  seventy  miles  in 
winter  across  the  country.  "  With  its  palms  and  shadoofs,  the  Philistine  Plain 
might  be  a  part  of  the  Egyptian  Delta ;  but  on  the  hills  of  the  Shephelah 
which  overlook  it,  we  are  in  the  scenery  of  southern  Europe.  The  Judean 
moors  which  overlook  them  are  like  the  barren  uplands  of  central  Germany.  The 
shepherds  wear  sheepskin  cloaks  and  live  under  stone  roofs,  for  sometimes  the 
snow  lies  deep.  A  few  miles  farther  east  and  we  are  down  on  the  desert 
among  the  Bedouin,  with  their  tents  of  hair  and  their  cotton  clothing;  a  few 
miles  farther  still,  and  we  drop  to  torrid  heat  in  the  Jordan  Valley ;  a  few  miles 
beyond  that,  and  we  rise  to  the  plateau  of  Perea,  where  the  Arabs  say  '  The 
cold  is  always  at  home.'  " 

67.  Seasons.  There  are  two  seasons  in  Palestine,  the  rainy  season,  from 
October  to  April,  and  the  dry  season  from  April  to  October.  The  Bible 
speaks  of  "the  early"  and  "the  latter  rains."  The  early  rains  occur  late 
in  October  or  early  in  November.  They  last  for  a  day  or  for  several  days 
at  a  time,  and  loosen  the  parched  earth  for  plowing.  After  a  period  of  mild 
weather,  the  heavy  winter  rains  begin  about  the  middle  of  December.  They 
are  well  called  "  the  Pourers."  The  "  latter  rains  "  are  the  heavy  showers  of 
March  and  early  April.  "  Lo,  the  winter  is  past;  the  rain  is  over  and  gone," 
says  the  Song  of  Solomon.  Showers  rarely  fall  in  May.  No  rain  whatever 
falls  between  June  and  October,  even  a  cloud  is  almost  unknown,  but  there 
are  heavy  dews.     Upon  the  highlands  snow  and  hail  are  common  in  winter. 

68.  During  the  rainy  season  every  wady  (river-bed)  is  filled  to  overflowing,  a 
raging  torrent  of  water,  while  in  the  dry  season  there  are  only  a  few  short 
streams  west  of  the  Jordan,  all  water  having  disappeared  from  the  other 
wadies.     In   Galilee,    springs   and   fountains    (some   of   them   pools   twenty    feet 

12 


IN  THE  TIME  OF  CHRIST 

across)     supply    water    in    tlie    drj-    season;    on    tlic    tableland    of    Judea    it    is 
obtained  mainly   from  the  winter  rains  stored  in  pits  or  cisterns. 

69.  To  the  scarcity  of  water  in  the  dry  season  is  due  the  great  importance  of 
the  wayside  wells  often  mentioned  in  the  Bible.  A  striking  feature  of  the 
Central  Range  is  its  underground  waters.  In  many  places  the  surface  rock 
is  soft  and  porous,  and  water  filters  through  it  to  the  hard  bed-rock  beneath, 
where  it  flows  in  its  subterranean  channels  and  springs  up  to  the  surface  in 
fountains.  Beersheba,  Gaza,  and  Hebron  have  each  many  fountains  and  wells; 
Sa4naria  has  them  in  abundance,  and  they  are  still  more  common  in  Galilee. 

70.  Prevailing  Winds.  The  prevailing  winds  during  winter  are  from  the 
west,  and  they  come  laden  with  moisture  from  the  Mediterranean.  "  When 
ye  see  a  cloud  rise  out  of  the  west,  straightway  ye  say,  There  cometh  a 
shower;  and  so  it  is,"  says  Christ  (Luke  12.54).  The  north  winds  prevail  in 
summer,  and  "fair  weather  cometh  out  of  the  north"  (Job  37.22).  The  east 
and  south  winds  come  from  across  the  hot  desert.  "  When  ye  see  the  south 
wind  blow,  ye  say,  There  will  be  heat;  and  it  cometh  to  pass"   (Luke  12.55). 

71.  Storms  on  the  Sea  of  Galilee.  Sudden  and  violent  storms  are  fre- 
quent on  this  lake.  The  heat  in  this  low  trench  warms  the  air  over  the  lake 
so  that  it  rises,  and  the  colder,  heavier  air  from  the  tablelands  above  rushes 
down  every  wady  to  take  its  place,  lashing  the  waters  into  fury.     (Matt.  8.24.) 


THE  POLITICAL  DIVISIONS 

72.  The  Divisions  made  after  the  Death  of  Herod.  When  Christ  was 
born,  Herod  the  Great,  who  had  ruled  all  Palestine  under  the  Romans,  was 
drawing  near  the  close  of  his  long  reign.  He  died  in  4  b.  c,  and  his  kingdom 
was  divided  among  his  sons,  none  of  whom  had  his  ability  or  power. 

7S-  Archilaus  received  Idumea,  Judea, 
and  Samaria,  west  of  the  Dead  Sea  and 
the  Lower  Jordan,  and  was  given  the 
title  of  ethnarch.  He  was  deposed  by 
R6me  in  6  a.  d.,  and  his  territory  was 
made  the  Roman  Province  of  Judea, 
and  was  ruled  by  procurators  appointed 
from  among  the  Roman  knights.  But 
little  is  known  about  these  procurators 
till  Pontius  Pilate  was  appointed  in  26 
A.  D.  He  held  his  office  till  deposed  in 
36  A.   D. 

74.  To  Herod  Antipas  were  given 
Galilee,  west  of  the  Jordan  and  north 
of  Samaria,  and  Perea,  east  of  the 
Lower  Jordan  and  Dead  Sea,  with  the 
title  of  tetrarch.  He  was  deposed  about 
the  year  39  a.  d.  Christ  passed  His 
life  as  a  civil  subject  of  Herod  Anti- 
pas. 

75-  Philip,  the  best  of  the  sons  of 
Herod  the  Great,  was  made  tetrarch  of 
the  country  east  of  the   Sea  of  Galilee 

13 


Political   Divisions  of  Palestine 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  OF  PALESTINE 

and  north  of  the  Yarmuk  River.     He  reigned  throughout  Christ's  life,  and  died 
in  34  A.  I). 

76.  The  political  divisions  of  Palestine  during  the  life  of  Christ  were,  there- 
fore: (I)  Judea  and  Samaria  under  the  rule  of  Roman  procurators;  (2) 
Galilee  and  Perea  under  Herod  Antipas ;  and  (3)  small  principalities  east  of 
Galilee  and  north  of  Perea,  under  the  rule  of  Philip. 

77.  Map  Work.  On  the  second  map,  page  :i2<  write  the  names  of  the 
provinces  and  of  the  three  political  divisions  of  the  country  made  after  the 
death  of  Herod  the  Great. 

78.  Review*  Questions.  Describe  the  changes  in  temperature  in  a  journey  across  the  coun- 
try from  the  coast.  In  going  up  the  Jordan  Valley  from  the  Dead  Sea.  When  is  the  rainy 
season?  From  what  direction  do  the  winds  come?  Why  do  they  bring  rain?  When  do 
the  "early  rains"  occur?  "The  Pourers"?  "The  latter  rains"?  When  is  the  dry  sea- 
son? From  what  direction  does  "fair  weather  come"?  From  what  direction  do  the  hot 
winds   blow?      What   causes    the   sudden    storms   on    the   Sea   of   Galilee? 

79.  To  what  Empire  did  Palestine  belong  in  the  time  of  Christ?  To  w-hat  ruler  at  Christ's 
birth?  In  what  year  was  Palestine  divided  among  the  sons  of  Herod  the  Great?  Where  was 
the  Ethnarchy  of  .-Vrchilaus?  Who  were  its  rulers  after  his  death?  Who  was  the  most  noted 
one?  How  long  did  he  rule?  What  was  his  territory  called?  Where  was  the  Tetrarchy  of 
Herod  Antipas?  When  was  he  deposed?  Where  was  the  Tetrarchy  of  Philip?  How  long 
did  he  rule?  What  three  provinces  west  of  the  Jordan  from  south  to  north?  Name  the  two 
rulers  of  these  ])rovinces.  Name  the  two  provinces  east  of  the  Jordan  and  their  rulers. 
Which  rulers  had  each  two  provinces? 

80.  Judea.  Judea  in  Christ's  day  was  larger  than  in  Old  Testament 
times,  for  Idumea,  or  Edom,  on  the  south  was  annexed  about  a  hundred  years 
before  His  birth.  South  of  Idumea  was  the  Negeb,  a  word  meaning  the  Dry, 
or  Parched  Land,  but  translated  in  our  version  of  the  Old  Testament  as- The 
South.  Including  all  that  was  desert,  the  area  of  Judea  was  about  the  size  of 
the  State  of  Delaware. 

81.  ]vluch  of  Judea  was  border-land.  The  Judea  of  history  is  the  part  occu- 
pying the  Central  Range,  a  plateau  from  2000  to  3000  feet  above  the  sea, 
v/here  the  general  level  is  so  high  that  the  noticeable  features  are  the  gorges 
that  cross  it  rather  than  the  mountains  that  rise  still  higher.  It  is  the  small 
section  between  Bethel  on  the  north  and  the  cities  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Hebron  on  the  south,  and  between  the  Jordan  Valley  on  the  east  and  the 
valley  that  intervenes  between  the  Central  Range  and  the  Low  Hills  on  the 
west.  Less  than  half  as  large  as  the  State  of  Rhode  Island  in  area,  this  little 
section  is  the  most  famous  province  of  all  lands.  Here  occurred  the  great 
events  in  Old  Testament  history,  and  here  Christ  was  born,  was  crucified,  and 
arose  from  the  dead. 

82.  Judea  has  always  been  a  land  of  shepherds.  In  Christ's  time  there  were 
more  vineyards  and  olive-  and  fig-trees  than  now,  and  the  fields  about  IScthany, 
Bethlehem,  and  Hebron  were  very  fertile.  But  Judea  as  a  whole  is  a  most 
rugged  and  barren  land.  "The  prevailing  impression  is  of  stone  —  the  torrent 
beds,  the  paths  that  are  no  better,  the  heaps  and  heaps  of  stones  gathered  from 
the  fields,  the  fields  as  stony  still,  the  moors  strewn  with  boulders,  the  bare 
ribs  of  the  hills.  The  gray  stone  walls  and  mud  roofs  of  the  villages  look 
in  the  distance  like  a  mere  outcrop  o*  the  rock.  In  places  the  impression  of 
desolation  is  increased  by  the  ruins  ,if  ancient  civilization  —  cairns,  terrace- 
walls,  and   vineyarfl   towers." 

83.  Besides  the  rocky  soil  there  is  another  feature  that  impresses  every  traveler 

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IN   THE  TIME  OF  CHRIST 

in  Judea,  and  that  is  the  deep,  desolate  abyss  on  its  eastern  edge,  the  Wilderness 
nf  Judea,  where  John  the  Baptist  lived  and  preached.  In  this  rocky,  dreary 
waste  thoughts  would  come  to  him  of  the  deeds  here  of  Elijah  and  Elisha, 
and  here  he  wtnild  get  his  figures  of  judgment,  the  scorpions  and  vipers 
fleeing  before  the  fires  in  the  dry  scrub,  and  the  ax  laid  at  the  roots  of  the 
trees,  for  wood-cutters  were  busy  in  this  wilderness.  Here  Christ  was 
"  alone  with  the  wild  beasts  "  when  He  endured  His  temptation. 

84.  Says  Dr.  G.  A.  Smith :  "  Across  the  Dead  Sea  rise  the  hills  of  Moab, 
high  and  precipitous,  and  it  is  their  bare  edge,  almost  unbroken,  which  forms 
the  eastern  horizon  of  Judea.  The  simple  name  by  which  that  horizon  is 
known  to  the  Jews  —  the  Mountains  of  the  Other-side,  or  the  Mountains  of 
Those-across  —  is  more  expressive  than  anything  else  could  be  of  the  great 
vacancy  between,  the  Wilderness  of  Judea.  In  the  Old  Testament  it  is  called 
the  Jcshimon,  a  word  meaning  devastation,  and  no  term  could  better  suit  its 
haggard  and  crumbling  appearance.  It  carries  the  violence  and  desolation  of 
the  Dead  Sea  Valley  right  up  to  the  heart  of  the  country,  to  the  roots  of  the 
Mount  of  Olives,  to  within  two  hours  of  the  gates  of  Hebron,  Bethlehem,  and 
Jerusalem.  When  you  realize  that  this  howling  waste  came  within  the  reach 
of  nearly  every  Jewish  child;  when  you  climb  the  Mount  of  Olives,  or  any 
hill  about  Bethlehem,  and,  looking  east,  see  those  fifteen  miles  of  chaos, 
sinking  to  a  stretch  of  the  Dead  Sea,  you  begin  to  understand  the  influence  of 
the  Desert  on  Jewish  imagination  and  literature.  It  gave  the  ancient  natives 
of  Judea,  as  it  gives  the  mere  visitor  of  to-day,  the  sense  of  Ifving  next  door 
to  doom ;  the  awe  of  the  power  of  God,  who  can  make  contiguous  regions  so 
opposite  in  character." 

85.  Samaria.  In  going  from  Judea  to  Samaria  one  passes  from  an  ele- 
vated plateau  covered  with  rocks  to  scattered  groups  of  mountains  covered 
with  verdure;  from  a  thirsty,  barren  land  to  a  well-watered,  fertile  one;  from 
a  land  of  shepherds  to  a  land  of  husbandmen ;  from  a  secluded,  austere  region 
on  the  road  to  nowhere,  to  an  open,  fairer  landscape  on  the  road  to  every- 
where. "  Judea  is  mountain,  emphasized  by  gorge  ;  Samaria  is  valley,  diversified 
by  hill."  Samaria  is  a  smaller  province  than  either  Judea  or  Galilee.  Springs 
are  abundant,  gushing  forth  from  the  very  mountain  tops,  and  the  broad 
valleys  extending  in  every  direction  are  productive  grain  fields.  There  is  a  pass 
across  Samaria  from  the  coast  to  the  Jordan. 

86.  Samaria  is  associated  more  with  Old  Testament  history  than  with  the 
New.  When  Abraham  entered  the  Land  of  Canaan  from  the  East  he  came 
first  to  Shechem  in  Samaria,  and  to  this  place  Jacob  came  when  he  returned 
from  exile.  When  the  Israelites  took  possession  of  the  land  after  their  desert 
wanderings,  they  held  their  great  inaugural  services,  when  "  the  blessings  and 
the  cursings  "  were  read,  from  the  summits  of  INIount  Ebal  and  Mount  Gerizim. 
The  lives  of  Elijah  and  Elisha  are  connected  with  Samaria.  "  Rottenness 
and  swift  ruin  "  was  the  doom  pronounced  on  Samaria  by  the  prophets  from 
Amos  to  Isaiah,  because  of  her  traffic  with  foreigners,  her  luxury  and  dissi- 
pation and  idolatry. 

87.  The  Jews  never  considered  Samaria  a  part  of  the  Holy  Land.  They  "  had 
no  dealings  with  the  Samaritans,"  and  they  avoided  passing  through  Samaria 
on  their  way  from  Judea  to  Galilee  by  going  sometimes  by  way  of  the  sea 
coast  (for  the  Maritime  Plain  was  not  considered  a  part  of  Samaria),  but  more 

15 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  OF  PALESTINE 

often  up  the  liot  Jordan  Valley  on  the  eastern   side  of  the  river.     When  Christ 
went  through  Samaria  He  had  a  journey  of  hut  twenty-three  miles. 

88.  Galilee.  The  province  of  Galilee  is  not  so  large  as  the  entire  prov- 
ince of  Judea.  Its  limits  are  the  River  Litany  on  the  north  and  the  soutlicrn 
edge  of  Esdraelon  on  the  south,  the  Jordan  on  the  east,  and  the  coast  and 
narrow  Phenician  Plain  on  the  west.  From  south  to  north  it  rises  in  three 
zones:  the  Plain  of  Esdraelon;  Lower  Galilee,  where  there  are  low,  parallel 
ranges  nowhere  over  1850  feet  high,  separated  by  broad,  fertile  valleys ;  and 
Upper  Galilee,  a  plateau  surrounded  by  hills  from  2000  to  4000  feet  high. 

89.  To  the  rain  and  mists  that  fall  on  the  Lebanons  above  are  due  Galilee's 
abundant  vvater  supply  in  rivers,  wells,  springs,  and  fountains,  and  her  great 
fruitfulness.  Galilee  is  the  garden  of  Palestine.  We  have  seen  how  fertile  is 
the  Plain  of  Esdraelon :  Lower  and  Upper  Galilee  are  well  wooded  and  every- 
where cultivated.  Josephus  says  that  "  the  soil  of  Galilee  is  universally  rich 
and  fruitful  and  full  of  the  plantations  of  trees  of  all  sorts.  Accordingly  it 
is  cultivated  by  its  inhabitants,  and  no  part  of  it  lies  idle."  Oil,  wine,  wheat, 
flax,  fruits,  and  fish  were  produced.  Linen  fabrics  and  pottery  were  manufac- 
tured. 

90.  The  province  was  thickly  populated  in  Christ's  time ;  according  to 
Josephus  there  were  here   about  three  million  inhabitants. 

"  And  Him  evermore  I  behold 

Walking    in    Galilee, 

Through   the  corn  fields'  waving  gold, 

In  hamlet,  in  wood,  and  in  wold. 

On  the  shores  of  the  Beautiful  Sea," 
says  our  poet  Longfellow.  The  geography  and  environment  of  Galilee  and 
Judea  account  for  the  difference  in  the  spirit  and  the  temperament  of  the 
Galileans  and  the  Judeans,  and  this  difference  was  the  reason  for  Christ's  living 
and  working  in  Galilee  during  the  greater  part  of  His  ministry  rather  than  in 
Judea.  Eleven  of  the  twelve  Apostles  were  Galileans;  Judas  Iscariot  was  the 
only  Judean. 

91.  "If  any  one  wishes  to  be  rich,  let  him  go  north;  if  he  wants  to  be 
wise,  let  him  come  south,"  said  the  proud  rabbis  at  Jerusalem.  "  Can  any 
good  come  out  of  Nazareth  ? "  questioned  the  Judeans.  The  narrowness  and 
bigotry  of  the  Judeans  were  not  possible  in  the  Galileans.  Where  the  Judeans 
lived,  on  their  stony  plateau,  they  were  isolated  from  the  rest  of  the  world,  as 
we  have  seen ;  Galilean  territory  was  crossed  by  some  of  the  world's  great 
highways,  which  connected  the  Euphrates  with  the  Nile,  the  far  East  and 
Damascus  with  the  Mediterranean.  The  sea  and  the  desert  were  the  neighbors 
of  the  Judeans,  but  the  people  of  Galilee  had  as  neighbors  the  Phenicians  on 
the  west,  with  their  Greek  culture,  their  mines  and  manufactures  and  open 
ports,  and  the  people  east  of  the  Jordan  with  the  forums  and  amphitheaters 
and  gay  life  of  their  Greek  cities.  In  Christ's  time  there  were  many  Gentiles 
—  Phenicians,  Syrians,  Arabs,  and  Greeks  —  in  Galilee  itself,  especially  in  the 
cities  along  the  great  highways.  "  Galilee  of  the  Gentiles  "  it  had  been  called 
till  a  century  before  Christ's  birth. 

92.  Perea.  The  Yarmuk  River  divided  the  district  east  of  the  Jordan. 
North  of  that  river  lay  the  Tetrarchy  of  Philip;  south,  the  province  of  Perea, 
which  together  with  Galilee  formed  the  Tetrarchy  of  Herod  Antipas. 

93.  Perea    is    called    Gilead    in    Old    Testament    times.     Perea    is    the    Greek 

10 


IN    TMK  TLAIK  OF  CHRIST 

translation  of  the  llclircw  ilhcr,  nu'anin<4  Jh'yoiid.  I'erca  was  beyond  the 
Jordan.  The  word  itself  does  not  occur  in  tlic  Gospels.  Mark  ( lo.  i )  calls 
it  "Judea  by  the  farther  side  of  Jordan."  h  was  a  thinly  populated  district, 
famed  for  its  halm  and  myrrli. 

94.  The  Tetrarchy  of  Philip.  The  northern  province  east  of  the  Jordan 
was  called  Bashan  in  Old  Testament  times.  Luke  (3.1)  calls  it  "  Iturca  and 
the  region  of  Trachoniiis."  It  is  crt)ssed  by  many  brooks,  and  is  the  richest 
grazing  land  of  all  Palestine.  In  former  times  it  was  called  tlie  granary  of 
Syria.  This  province  has  little  connection  with  the  Gospel  narratives.  Judea, 
Galilee,  and  Pcrea  were  the  only  divisions  of  Palestine  considered  by  the  Jews 
as  Jewish   territory. 

95.  Map  Work.  On  tlie  large  outline  map,  page  41,  draw  the  bounda- 
ries of  the  ])rovinces  as  shown  on  the  colored  map.  Write  the  names  of 
the  provinces  and  of  the  political  divisions.  Name  all  the  lakes  and  rivers 
Locate  and  name  all  tiie  mountains.  See  map  page  39,  which  is  divided  into 
squares  like  the  outline  map. 

96.  Review  Questionti.  With  what  State  may  Judea  be  compared  in  area?  What  State  is 
twice  as  large  as  the  central  plateau  region?  How  high  is  this  plateau?  What  is  south  of  it? 
East  of  it?  What  has  made  it  famous?  What  are  the  two  characteristic  features  of  Judea? 
What  has  always  been  the  occupation  of  its  people? 

97.  Compare  Judea  and  Samaria.  How  does  Samaria  compare  with  the  two  other  western 
provinces  in  area?  What  two  noted  mountains  in  Samaria?  How  is  Samaria  watered? 
What  historical  events  occurred  in  this  province?  How  did  the  Jews  avoid  crossing  it  in 
going  from  Judea  to  Galilee? 

98.  Compare  Judea  and  Galilee.  What  are  the  limits  of  Galilee?  What  three  distinct 
regions  has  it?  Describe  each.  How  high  is  the  plateau  of  Upper  Galilee?  How  is  Galilee 
watered?  What  were  its  products?  Why  did  Christ  spend  the  greater  part  of  His  public 
ministry   in   Galilee  instead   of  in  Judea? 

99.  What  two  divisions  east  of  the  Jordan?  What  river  between  them?  What  does  the 
word  Perea  mean?  What  was  the  province  called  in  the  Old  Testament?  For  what  was  it 
famous?  For  what  was  Philip's  Tetrarchy  famous?  Which  divisions  of  Palestine  were  re- 
garded by  the  Jews  themselves  as  Jewish  territory? 

THE  GREAT  HIGHWAYS 

100.  The  North  and  South  Roads.  The  chief  trading  nations  of  antiquity 
were  Egypt  and  Ass)'ria.  In  Old  Testament  times  all  roads  led  to  Damascus, 
just  as  later  it  was  said  that  "All  roads  lead  to  Rome."  Several  roads  to 
Damascus  crossed  Palestine.  Follow^  them  on  the  diagram  on  the  next  page 
as  they  are  mentioned  below. 

loi.  (i)  The  coast  route,  called  in  Exodus  13.17  "the  way  of  the  land  of 
the  Philistines,"  which  came  from  Egypt  and  ran  up  through  the  Maritime 
Plain.  Over  the  Plain  of  Philistia  it  went  farther  inland  to  avoid  the  loose 
sand  along  the  coast,  but  from  Joppa  it  closely  followed  the  shore  up  to  Tyre 
and  beyond.  From  Tyre  a  road  ran  eastward  to  Dan  and  on  to  Damascus. 
In   Roman   times   the   streams   and   marshes   along  this    road   were  bridged. 

102.  (2)  From  Ashdod,  half-way  between  Gaza  and  Joppa,  a  road  branched 
off  from  the  coast  route  to  Lydda  and  ran  up  through  the  Maritime  Plain 
skirting  the  foot-hills  till  south  of  Carmel  it  led  over  passes  into  the  Plain 
of  Esdraelon.  The  road  continued  to  Ptolemais,  but  the  main  traveled  route 
crossed  to  Scythopolis  (Bethshan)  and  then  after  crossing  the  Jordan  went 
up  the  valley  and  around  the  eastern  shore  of  the  Sea  of  Galilee  to  the  center 
of  the  lake,  and  thence  it  continued   northeastward   to   the  city  of   Damascus. 

17 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  OF  PALESTINE 


Ptoleinais 

Haifai  \         _  (V 


Caesarea  I 


I03-  (3)  An  ancient  caravan  route  from  Egjpt  led  through  Beersheba  to 
Hebron   and  continued  past  Bethlehem   to  Jerusalem,  whence   a   Roman   paved 

road  ran  through  Samaria  to 
Galilee,  and  thence  to  Damas- 
cus. Christ  traversed  this 
road,  as  mentioned  in  Luke 
9.52;  17.11;  John  4.4.  The 
Jews  avoided  it,  because  it 
crossed  Samaria,  and  went 
instead  from  Jerusalem  to 
Jericho  and  the  Jordan,  which 
they  crossed,  and  then  they 
journeyed  northward  through 
the  hot  valley  till  they  recrossed 
the  river  south  of  the  Sea  of 
Galilee. 

104.  (4)  Through  Eastern 
Palestine  the  road  from  the 
Red  Sea  ran  over  the  high- 
land region  east  of  the  Dead 
Sea  and  over  Perea  to  Gerasa, 
and  then  went  northwestward 
to  the  Jordan  Valley  opposite 
Scythopolis.  From  here  to 
Damascus  the  road  was  the  one 
followed  by  the  traveler  from 
Egypt  over  the  Maritime 
Plain    and    Esdraelon. 

105.  (5)  Still  farther  east 
there  was  the  "  Pilgrim  Road  " 
from  Arabia  northward  to 
Damascus. 

106.  The     Chief    East    and 
The  Main   Roads                                          ^^^^   j^^^^^^      ^    ^^^^^^^^^    ^^.^^ 

east  and  west  was  called  in  the  history  of  the  Crusades  the  J'ia  Maris,  the  Way 
of  the  Sea.  It  was  a  Roman  paved  highway  which  connected  Damascus  with 
Rome.  Below  Lake  Huleh  it  crossed  the  Jordan  by  the  Bridge  of  the  Daughters 
of  Jacob  (a  modern  name  for  a  bridge  built  by  the  Romans),  wound  around 
the  western  si'de  of  the  lake  past  Capernaum  to  Tiberias  and  then  one  branch 
went  on  past  Cana  to  the  sea  at  Ptolemais,  and  another  continued  southward  to 
Scythopolis.  The  Romans  collected  toll  from  those  using  this  paved  road ; 
it  was  on  this  road,  not  far  from  Capernaum,  that  Matthew  "  sat  at  the  receipt 
of  custom  "  when  Christ  called  him  to  be  His  disciple. 

The  Plain  of  Esdraelon  was  crossed  by  several  roads. 

A  road  from  Joppa  to  Shcchcm  was  continued  to  Scythopolis  and  the  Sea 
of  Galilee. 

There  were  important  roads  from  Joppa  to  Jerusalem  and  from  Gaza  to 
Hebron  and  to  Beersheba. 

There  were  many  other  cross  roads  and  innumerable  paths. 

107.  Map  Work.    On    the    map,    page    41,    locate    the    cities    mentioned    in 

18 


IN  THE  TIIME  OF  CHRIST 

this  section.  Draw  the  route  from  Egypt  to  Joppa,  Tyre,  Dan  and  Damascus. 
Draw  the  route  from  Egypt  to  Lydda,  Plain  of  Esdraelon,  Scythopoiis,  cast 
of  the  Jordan  and  Sea  of  Galilee,  to  Damascus.  Draw  the  route  from  Egypt 
to  Beershcba,  Hebron,  Bethlehem,  Jerusalem,  Shechem,  Cana,  and  Damascus. 
Draw  the  route  up  the  Eastern  Range  to  the  Jordan  opposite  Scythopoiis  and 
thence  to  Damascus.  Draw  the  route  still  farther  east.  Draw  the  main  east 
and  west  roads. 

THE   CITIES  OF  PALESTINE 

The  Cities  of  the  M.\ritime  Plain 

io8.  Gaza.  The  cities  of  the  Maritime  Plain  have  no  connection  with 
the  Gospel  narratives,  for,  as  far  as  known,  Christ  never  visited  any  of  them, 
though  there  is  a  record  of  one  visit  to  "  the  region  of  Tyre  and  Sidon." 
Yet  there  are  a  few  whose  location  it  is  important  to  learn.  The  one  farthest 
south  was  Gaza,  three  miles  from  the  sea.  Gaza  is  often  mentioned  in  the  Old 
Testament,  and  it  was  always  an  important  city  because  the  last  halting  place 
for  caravans  before  entering  the  desert  on  the  way  into  Egypt. 

109.  Ashkelon.  This  city  is  on  the  coast  farther  north.  It  was  the 
birthplace  of  Herod  the  Great  and  he  adorned  it  with  many  fine  buildings. 

no.  Joppa.  Joppa  is  the  port  of  Jerusalem,  although  port  it  can  not 
properly  be  called,  for  large  ships  are  obliged  to  stay  out  at  sea  and  their 
passengers  and  freight  are  landed  in  small  boats.  In  stormy  weather  landing 
is  impossible.  Jaffa,  as  it  is  now  called,  is  a  beautiful  city  when  seen  from 
the  sea,  but,  like  nearly  all  the  cities  of  Palestine  to-day,  it  is  disappointing 
on  a  nearer  view  because  of  its  narrow  and  dirty  streets. 

111.  When  Solomon's  temple  was  built,  the  cedars  from  Lebanon  were  floated 
down  to  Joppa  in  rafts.  It  was  here  Peter  restored  Dorcas  to  life,  and  here 
he  had  tl:e  vision  that  convinced  him  the  Gospel  was  for  Gentiles  as  well  as 
for  Jews. 

112.  A  railroad  now  connects  Jaffa  with  the  Holy  City,  and  in  three  and  a 
half  hours  the  traveler  may  "  go  up  to  Jerusalem."  "  Lydda  was  nigh  unto 
Joppa,"  the  place  where  Peter  cured  Aeneas ;  it  is  seven  miles  away  on  this 
railroad. 

113.  Caesarea.  Still  farther  up  the  coast  was  Caesarea,  which  Herod  the 
Great  spent  twelve  years  in  building.  He  made  a  harbor  by  dropping  immense 
stones  into  twenty  fathoms  of  water,  and  constructing  a  breakwater  two  hun- 
dred feet  wide.  Later,  Cassarea  was  made  the  Roman  capital  of  Judea,  for 
here  Pontius  Pilate  and  other  procurators  had  their  palaces.  It  was  at 
Csesarea,  in  the  home  of  Cornelius,  that  Peter  preached  his  first  sermon  to  t'le 
Gentiles  (Acts  10).  The  harbor  is  no  longer  servicealile,  and  ruins  only 
occupy  the  site  of  the  city. 

114.  Haifa.  North  of  Carmel  is  Haifa,  which  has  a  natural  harI)or  in 
the  Bay  of  Acre.  From  here  a  railroad  has  recently  been  built  to  Damascus. 
It  follows  up  the  Kishon  River  and  crosses  the  Plain  of  Esdraelon  to  Scythopo- 
iis, and  then  runs  northeastward,  crossing  the  Jordan  below  the  Yarmuk,  to 
the  center  of  the  eastern  shore  of  the  Sea  of  Galilee,  where  it  turns  eastward 
and  then  northeastward  to  Damascus. 

115.  Tyre  and   Sidon.     These  two   coast   cities   were   in    Phenicia   beyond 

19 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  OF  TALESTIXE 

the  limits  of  Palestine.  At  the  time  of  Christ  they  were  included  in  the 
Roman  Province  of  Syria.  Tyre  is  about  thirty-five  miles  northwest  of  the 
Sea  of  Galilee,  and  Sidon  is  twenty-five  miles  still  farther  north.  Bo'th  cities 
were  noted  for  their  commerce,  their  wealth,  and  their  luxury.  It  was  on  His 
northward  journey  into  the  region  of  Tyre  and  Sidon  that  Christ  met  the 
Syrophenician  woman,  whose  daughter  He  restored  to  health  at  her  im- 
portunity. 

ii6.  Map  Work.  On  your  outline  map,  page  41,  locate  and  name  these 
cities  of  the  Maritime  Plain.  See  the  map,  page  39,  which  is  marked  off  into 
squares.  Locate  Jerusalem  and  Damascus,  and  by  dotted  lines  indicate  the 
route  of  the  modern  railroads  from  Jaffa  to  Jerusalem  and  from  Haifa  to 
Damascus.  Draw  the  road  which  connects  these  cities  along  the  coast,  and 
also  the  road  which  runs  through  Lydda. 

117.  Heview  Questions.  Describe  the  coast  route  from  Egypt  to  Damascus.  Through 
what  cities  did  it  ])ass?  What  was  the  course  of  the  road  which  branched  off  from  it  and 
went  through  Lydda?  Through  what  cities  did  the  road  from  Beersheba  to  Cana  pass?'  What 
two  roads  cast  of  the  Jordan?  What  were  the  main  east  and  west  roads?  How  did  the  Jews 
go  from  Jerusalem  to  Galilee  without  passing  through  Samaria?  What  made  Gaza  an  im- 
portant place?  Who  adorned  Ashkelon?  What  is  the  modern  name  of  Joppa?  What  is  the 
connection  of  this  city  with  Jerusalem?  How  was  it  important  in  Solomon's  time?  What 
events  of  Peter's  life  occurred  here?  What  coast  city  was  the  Roman  capital  of  Judea?  Who 
built  the  city?  What  important  event  in  the  history  of  the  Church  occurred  here?  What 
city  north  of  Mount  Carmel?  Where  are  Tyre  and  Sidon?  I'"or  what  were  they  noted? 
What  miracle  did  Christ  work  in  this  region?  Describe  the  course  of  the  two  modern  rail- 
roads which   start   from  the   coast. 


The  Cities  of  Jude.^ 

118.  The  Important  Cities.  On  almost  every  hill  top  in  Judea  there 
was  a  city  or  a  village.  The  important  cities  mentioned  in  the  life  of  Christ 
are  Jerusalem,  Bethany,  Bethlehem,  Ephraim,  and  Emmaus  on  the  high  table- 
land, and  Jericho  in  the  Jordan  Valley. 

119.  Jerusalem. .  Eighteen    miles    west    of    the    Jordan    and    thirty    miles 

east  of  the  JVIediter- 
r  a  n  e  a  n  is  located 
Jerusalem,  the  Holy 
City,  the  center  of  the 
religious  authority 
and  worship  of  Pal- 
estine. So  high  is  the 
general  elevation  of 
Judea  here  that  tlie 
visitor  is  not  im- 
pressed by  " the 
mountains  round 
about  Jerusalem  "  be- 
cause of  "  the  moun- 
tain," the  whole  ele- 
vation on  which  the 
city  rests.  "  There 
are  here  none  of  the 
natilral    conditions    of 


<,xy 


20 


IN  THE  TIME  OF  CHRIST 

a  great  city,"  says  Dr.  Sniitli,  "  ;ind  yet  it  was  liorc  that  slie  arose  who,  more 
tiian  AtluMis  am!  iiKiro  than  Rome,  taught  tlie  natimis  cuic  justice.  Her 
builder  was  not  Nature  ntu^  the  wisdom  of  man.  l)ut  on  tliat  secluded  and 
barren  site,  the  Word  of  God,  by  her  prophets,  laid  her  eternal  foundations 
in   righteousness,  and  reared  her   walls  in  her  people's   faith   in  God." 

120.  Ravines  surround  the  city  on  all  sides  except  on  the  north.  Northwest 
of  the  city  three  valleys  start.  The  eastern  valley  is  the  valley  of  the  Kidron, 
now  more  often  called  the  Valley  of  Jehoshaphat.  It  runs  eastw.ird,  then  turns 
directly  south  and  separates  the  city  from  the  ]\Iount  of  Olives.  The  western 
valley  is  the  \"alley  of  Hinnom.  It  runs  directly  south  along  the  western 
edge  of  the  city,  and  then  turns  eastward  and  joins  the  first  valley.  It 
separates    Jerusalem    from    the    Hill    of    Evil    Counsel,    a    name    given    to    the 


Sketch   Showing  Topographical   Features  of  Jerusalem 
(After    Fulton,    "  The    Beautiful    Land.") 

summit  of  the  range  which  curves  around  the  southwestern  part  of  the  city, 
because  tradition  says  that  here  the  plot  to  betray  Christ  was  formed ;  at  its 
base  is  the  traditional  potters'  field,  bought  with  the  price  of  Judas'  treachery. 
Between  these  two  valleys  a  third  shallow  valley,  the  Tyropoeshi,  curves  through 
the  city  in  the  shape  of  the  new  moon,  as  Josephus  says,  and  divides  the  lower 
part  into  two  hills. 

121.  The  topography  of  the  city  in  the  time  of  Christ  can  not  be  given  with 
certainty,  for  in  70  a.  d.  it  was  utterly  destroyed  by  the  armies  of  Titus,  the 
temple  and  the  whole  city  burned  over,  and  the  city  afterward  built  has  since 
been  many  times  besieged  and  partially  destroyed  and  rebuilt.  The  hills  have 
been  lowered  and  the  valleys  filled  in,  and  it  is  estimated  that  the  present  city 
is  built  on  from  twenty  to  ninety  feet  or  more  of  accimulated  ruins. 

122.  Study  this  sketch  of  the  topography  of  Jerusalem.  The  hill  west  of  the 
Tyropoean  Valley  is  now  called  Mount  Zion :  this  was  the  highest  of  the  hills, 
the  one  on  wbich  the  greater  part  of  the  city  was  built  in  Christ's  time.  East 
of  the  Tyropcean  Valley  is  Mount  Moriah,  where  the  teinple  stood ;  south  and 
almost  a  part  of  it  is  the  lower  hill  of  Ophel,  and  north  and  northwest  are 
the  smaller  hills  of  Bezetha  and  Acra. 

123.  Notice  on  the  diagram  of  Jerusalem,  page  20,  how  the  wall  that  sur- 
rounded the  city  in  the  time  of  Christ  juts  inward,  leaving  an  oblong  space  out- 
side. Here  is  the  Pool  of  Siloam,  where  Christ  bade  the  man  born  blind  wash 
his  eyes.  The  water  from  the  one  famous  spring  of  Jerusalem,  the  fountain  at 
the  base  of  the  eastern  hill  now  known  as  the  Virgin's   Fountain,  overflowed 

21 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  OF  PALESTINE 

through  Hczckiah's  aqueduct  into  this  pool.     It  is  now  nearly  filled  with  stones 
and  earth. 

124.  The  site  of  the  other  pool  mentioned  in  the  Gospels,  the  Pool  of 
Bcthesda  where  Christ  wrought  one  of  His  miracles,  has  long  been  disputed. 
Recent  scholars  claim  to  have  identified  it  in  a  pool  on  the  north  side  of  the 
temple   area,    near    the   present    Church    of    St.    Anne. 

125.  "  He  who  has  not  seen  Jerusalem,"  say  the  Talmuds,  "  has  never  seen 
a  beautiful  city."  Herod  the  Great  did  much  to  beautify  Jerusalem.  He  re- 
stored the  towers  on  the  walls.  He  enlarged  the  fortress  commanding  the 
temple  on  the  north  and  renamed  it  Antonia.  A  flight  of  steps  connected  it 
with  the  temple;  here  Paul  was  taken  when  arrested  (Acts  21.34).  A  theater, 
an  amphitheater  "  covered  with  inscriptions  of  the  great  deeds  of  Csesar,"  and 
a  monument  to  himself  were  among  his  other  great  structures,  but  the  glory 
of  all  was  his  restoration  of  the  temple.  Josephus  describes  it  as  "  covered 
all  over  with  plates  of  gold  of  great  weight,  which  at  the  first  rising  of  the 
sun  reflected  back  a  fiery  splendor,  and  made  those  who  forced  themselves 
to  look  upon  it,  turn  their  eyes  away.  But  the  temple  appeared  to  strangers, 
when  they  were  coming  from  a  distance,  like  a  mountain  covered  with  snow, 
for  those  parts  of  it  that  were  not  gilt  were  exceeding  white."  The  Dome 
of  the  Rock,  or  Mosque  of  Omar  as  it  is  also  called,  now  crowns  the  summit 
of  Mount  Moriah.  The  rock  visible  under  its  dome  is  believed  to  be  the 
one  on  which  the  Holy  of  Holies  stood. 

126.  On  Mount  Zion  was  Herod's  palace,  to  which  Christ  was  sent  by  Pilate ; 
Pilate's  Pretorium,  on  the  northwestern  corner,  where  now  stands  the  Tower 
of  David  (some  claim  for  it  the  site  of  the  Tower  of  Antonia,  north  of  the 
temple)  ;  the  High  Priest's  house,  where  Christ  was  brought  before  Annas  and 
Caiaphas ;  and  the  Supper  Room,  the  scene  of  the  Last  Supper.  The 
traditional  sites  of  Golgotha  and  of  the  tomb  of  Christ  are  beneath  the  col- 
lection of  buildings  called  the  Church  of  the  Holy  Sepulchre,  north  of 
Pilate's  Pretorium,  but  most  modern  scholars  accept  as  the  site  of  Golgotha  a 
rounded  knoll  outside  the  northern  wall  of  the  city,  a  short  distance  from  the 
Damascus  Gate. 

127.  "  In  the  time  of  Christ,"  says  Dr.  Edmond  Stapfer,  "  the  open  spaces 
were  swept  every  day,  a  detail  in  striking  contrast  to  the  uncleanliness  of 
modern  oriental  cities.  Stoves  were  forbidden  because  of  the  smoke.  The 
streets  were  narrow,  but  the  principal  thoroughfares  had  been  paved  by  Herod 
the  Great.  Here  and  there  was  one  broader  than  the  rest,  which  was  used 
for  shops  and  bazaars ;  but  the  largest  open  spaces  were  always  round  the 
inside  of  the  gates,  and  here  there  were  most  traffic  and  movement.  No  carriage 
was  seen  in  the  streets,  litters  even  were  rare ;  camels  and  asses  were  in  more 
frequent  use.  Most  of  the  streets  were,  indeed,  so  narrow  that  no  carriage 
could  have  passed  along  them.  There  were  no  fewer  than  four  hundred  and 
eighty  synagogues,  and  every  morning,  at  break  of  day,  the  streets  were  full 
of  women,  scribes  and  Pharisees,  repairing  to  their  chosen  synagogue." 

128.  "  To-day  in  Jerusalem,"  says  a  recent  visitor,  "  one  sees  only  an  old  city 
upon  an  elevation,  some  ancient-appearing  walls,  some  narrow,  tortuous  streets, 
often  filthy,  a  nondescript  crowd  of  people  of  all  nationalities,  and  a  lot  of 
so-called  'sacred  places'  with  but  little  save  their  names  to  commend  them, 
and  nothing  about  them  to  excite  either  wonder  or  admiration.  But  it  is 
the    city    through    whose    streets   the    feet    of    prophets,    priests    and    kings,    of 

22 


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IN   THE  TIME  OF  CHRIST 

apostles  and  inartjrs,  passed,  the  city  wliere  Christ  walked  in  lunnan  form 
and  where  He  taught  and  wrought,  and  over  which  He  wept,  and  througli 
the  streets  of  which  He  went  willingly  to  the  cross  for  onr  redemption.  Every 
niche  of  it  is  interesting,  for  like  a  stringed  instrument  every  touch  upon 
which  brings  forth  some  sweet  and  musical  sound,  it  vibrates  at  every  turn 
with  some  suggestion  or  beautiful  passage  of  the  Word  of  God." 

129.  Christ  was  presented  in  the  temple  as  an  infant,  and  He  made  His 
first  visit  to  Jerusalem  as  a  buy  of  twelve.  In  April  a.  u.  jj  (assuming  that  His 
ministry  was  three  years  in  duration)  occurred  His  first  cleansing  of  the 
temple  and  His  discourse  wilii  Nicodemus.  in  April  a.  d.  28  He  healed  the  in- 
firm man  in  Jerusalem,  and  in  October  of  that  year  went  again  to  Jerusalem  to 
attend  the  Feast  of  Tabernacles,  where  He  gave  His  discourses  on  the  Light 
of  the  World  and  Spiritual  Freedom,  and  the  Jews  attempted  to  stone  Him. 
Again  in  December  He  visited  Jerusalem,  and  gave  sight  to  the  man  born 
blind.  He  attended  the  Feast  of  Dedication  and  did  not  return  again  till 
He  made  His  triumphal  entry  in  April,  a.  d.  30.  Jerusalem  is  the  scene  of 
the  events  of  Passion  W'eek.  After  His  resurrection  He  appeared  to  His 
disciples  at  Jerusalem,  and  His  ascension  was  from  the  Mount  of  Olives. 

130.  Bethany.  On  the  east  of  Jerusalem  the  brook  Kidron  flows  through 
the  valley  of  the  same  name  into  the  Dead  Sea.  It  is  a  winter  torrent,  dry 
in  summer  time.  Over  a  bridge  across  this  brook  Christ  passed  many  times 
on  His  way  to  Gethsemane  or  to  Bethany.  Gethsemane  was  a  garden  on  the 
]\Iount  of  Olives,  east  of  the  Kidron  Valley,  but  its  e.xact  site  is  not  known. 
The  traditional  Garden  of  Gethsemane  has  a  few  ancient  olive-trees  and  has 
been  enclosed  by  a  wall. 

131.  Bethany  was  two  miles  from  Jerusalem  on  the  road  to  Jericho.  It  was 
on  the  southeastern  slope  of  the  Mount  of  Olives,  facing  the  Dead  Sea  and  the 
Jordan.  The  word  Bethany  means  "  House  of  Dates,"  and  probably  there  were 
date  palms  here.  Bethany  was  the  home  of  Mary  and  Martha  and  Lazarus, 
where  Christ  often  visited.  Here  He  raised  Lazarus  from  the  dead,  and 
declared  Himself  to  be  "  the  Resurrection  and  the  Life."  Here  He  was 
anointed  by  Mary,  and  here  He  spent  the  nights  of  Passion  Week  before  His 
arrest.  "  Jerusalem  meant  the  towai,  the  crowd,  physical  and  mental  weari- 
ness, the  disputes  and  hatred  of  the  Pharisees  and  Sadducees,  and  of  all  those 
who  sought  His  death.  Bethany  meant  the  country,  solitude,  rest  of  body  and 
soul,  the  hospitality  of  the  friends  whom  He  loved." 

132.  The  modern  name  for  Bethany  is  El-Azariyah,  the  Arab  name  for 
Lazarus.  Only  a  few  tumbled  down  houses  remain.  Naturally  a  ruin  in  the 
center  of  the  village  is  called  that  of  the  house  of  Mary  and  Martha,  and  the 
so-called  tomb  of  Lazarus  also  is  shown  to  visitors. 

133.  Bethlehem.  Six  miles  south  of  Jerusalem  is  the  site  of  Bethlehem. 
Bethlehem  was  "  little  among  the  thousands  of  Judah,"  but  what  sacred  asso- 
ciations are  connected  with  it !  Rachel's  tomb  is  passed  on  the  road  from 
Jerusalem.  In  the  fields  about  Bethlehem  Ruth  gleaned,  and  in  Bethlehem 
David,  the  king,  was  born.  But  the  fame  of  Bethlehem  rests  on  the  fact  that 
here  was  the  birthplace  of  Jesus  Christ.  It  was  to  this  village  that  the 
shepherds  and  the  wise  men  came,  and  Herod's  soldiers  on  their  bloody 
errand. 

134.  The  Hebrew  name.  Beth  Lehem,  meant  the  "House  of  Bread,"  and 
referred,    no    doubt,    to    the    fertility    of    the    surrounding    region.     Now    it    is 

23 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  OF  PALESTINE 

called  Beit  Lahm,  the  House  of  Meat,  and  is  one  of  the  few  prosperous  vil- 
lages in  Palestine.  The  Church  of  the  Nativity,  the  oldest  part  of  which. 
it  is  claimed,  was  erected  by  Constantine  in  the  fourth  century  a.  d.,  with 
its  three  adjoining  convents,  appears  like  a  fortress  in  the  distance.  In  a 
natural  cave  beneath  the  church,  the  "  Chapel  of  the  Nativity,"  there  is  a 
silver  star  in  the  pavement  encircled  with  the  inscription  "  Hie  de  Virgine  Maria 
Jesus  Christus  natus  est"  (Here  Jesus  Christ  was  born  of  the  Virgin  Mary). 
The  so-called  Chapel  of  the  Manger  opposite  is  the  traditional  location  of 
the  manger  in  which  the  infant  Jesus  was  laid.  While  the  Gospel  account 
does  not  say  that  Jesus  was  born  in  a  cave,  yet  we  know  that  caves  were 
used  as  stables,  and  it  may  have  been  that  He  was  born  in  a  cave  similar 
to  the  one  shown. 

135.  Hebron.  This  ancient  city,  as  old  as  Damascus,  is  twenty  miles  south 
of  Jerusalem.  It  was  the  home  of  the  patriarchs,  and  the  place  where  David 
reigned  first  as  King  of  Judah  alone.  Many  are  the  Old  Testament  events 
associated  with  this  place.  Mary,  the  mother  of  Christ,  visited  Elizabeth  at 
Hebron,  and  here  Elizabeth's  son,  John  the  Baptist,  was  born.  The  place  is 
now  called  by  the  Arabs  El-Khalil,  the  Friend,  because  Abraham  was  called 
the  Friend  of  God.  The  Arabs  are  still  drawing  their  water  from  the  pool 
that  has  been  in  use  since  the  days  of  Abraham. 

136.  Ephraim.  This  city  was  situated  on  a  conspicuous  hill  on  the  bor- 
derland between  Galilee  and  Samaria,  about  thirteen  miles  northeast  of  Jeru- 
salem.    To  Ephraim    Christ   withdrew  after  the   raising  of  Lazarus. 

137.  Emmaus.  Three  sites  are  claimed  for  the  city  of  Emmaus.  It  was 
a  few  miles  west  of  Jerusalem.  The  two  disciples  were  on  tkeir  way  to 
Emmaus  when  the  risen  Christ  joined  them. 

138.  Jericho.  Jericho  is  northeast  of  Jerusalem,  five  miles  west  of  the 
Jordan  and  five  miles  north  of  the  Dead  Sea.  The  Gospels  always  speak 
of  going  down  to  Jericho,  for  there  is  a  descent  of  four  thousand  feet  in  less 
than  twenty  miles  between  the  two  places,  through  a  rough  and  desolate  coun- 
try, the  scene  of  the  parable  of  the  Good   Samaritan. 

139-  Opposite  Jericho  there  are  two  fords  across  the  Jordan,  to  which  high- 
ways lead  from  both  sides  of  the  river.  From  the  hills  back  of  Jericho  many 
streams  come  down  which  formerly  were  used  for  irrigation,  making  this 
plain  an  exceedingly  fertile  oasis  in  the  Lower  Jordan  Valley.  Now  there 
are  only  a  few  squalid  huts  and  a  tower  on  the  edge  of  a  swamp,  not  far  from 
the  site  of  tlie  Jericho  of  Christ's  time,  which  in  its  turn  was  on  a  different  site 
from  the  Jericho  destroyed  when  the  people  under  the  command  of  Joshua 
marched  around  its  walls.  Dr.  G.  A.  Smith  refers  to  the  many  times  Jericho 
was  taken,  and  ascribes  her  weakness  to  two  facts,  the  openness  of  the 
approach  from  the  north,  and  the  lack  of  energy  on  the  part  of  her  people 
on  account  of  the  climate  in  tliis  deep  trench.  "  Enervated  by  the  great  heat, 
which  degrades  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  Lower  Jordan  Valley,  it  was  im- 
possible for  them  to  be  warriors  or  anything  but  irrigators,  paddlers  in  water 
and  soft  earth.  We  forget  how  near  neighbors  they  had  been  to  Sodom  and 
Gomorrah.  No  great  man  was  born  in  Jericho ;  no  heroic  deed  was  ever 
done  in  her.  She  has  been  called  the  key  and  the  guard-house  of  Judea ;  she 
was  only  the  pantry.  She  never  stood  a  siege,  and  her  inhabitants  were 
always  running  away." 

140.  Among  Greeks  and  Romans  Jericho  was  famed  for  its  dates  and  bal.'^am. 


From  stereograph   copyright   by    Underwood  &    Underzvood,   New   York 

THE  MARKET  PLACE  AT  BETHLEHEM 


IN   THE  TIME  OF  CHRIST 

Palm  trees  surrounded  the  city  on  all  sides,  and  it  was  called  "  the  City  of 
Palms,"  and  "  the  City  of  Perfumes."  Antony  presented  to  Cleopatra  the  balsam 
gardens,  and  from  her  Herod  the  Great  purchased  them.  Herod  made  this 
one  of  his  royal  cities,  and  here  he  died. 

141.  Near  Jericho  Christ  restored  sight  to  two  blind  men,  and  at  Jericho 
He  visited  Zaccheus  the  Publican,  and  gave  His  parable  of  the  pounds. 

142.  Map  Work.  On  your  outline  map,  page  41,  locale  these  cities  of 
Judea.  Draw  the  roads  which  extended  from  Jerusalem  in  each  direction. 
Continue  the  road  which  connects  Jerusalem  and  Jericho  on  to  Damascus. 

143.  Koview  Questions.  What  were  the  chief  cities  on  the  tableland  of  Juilea  that  were 
connected  with  Christ's  life?  What  was  the  important  city  in  the  valley?  Describe  the  loca- 
tion of  Jerusalem.  Why  was  it  not  naturally  a  good  location  for  a  great  city?  What  valley 
east  of  the  city?  From  what  does  it  separate  it?  What  valley  west?  From  what  does  it 
separate  the  city?  What  valley  divides  the  city  into  two  parts?  What  hill  on  the  west? 
Wliat  hills  on  the  east?  Where  was  the  temple?  What  were  the  important  buildings  on 
the  western  hill  in  the  time  of  Christ?  Where  was  the  Pool  of  Siloam?  The  Pool  of 
Bethesda?  Golgotha?  Why  are  we  uncertain  about  the  location  of  places  in  the  time  of 
Christ?  What  building  now  occupies  the  site  of  the  temple?  What  did  Herod  the  Great 
do  for  the  city?  How  was  the  city  kept  in  former  times?  What  were  the  familiar  scenes 
on  the  streets?  Why  is  a  visit  to  Jerusalem  now  disappointing?  Why  is  it  helpful?  On 
what  occasions  do  we  know  that  Christ  was  in  Jerusalem? 

144.  How  far  was  Bethany  from  Jerusalem?  Where  was  it?  What  valley  and  river 
between?  What  does  the  name  of  the  place  mean,  and  why  was  it  given?  For  what  is 
Rethany  famous?  Why  did  Christ  seek  the  place  often?  What  is  the  modern  name  of 
Bethany?  What  are  shown  to  visitors?  Where  was  Gethsemane?  What  important  city 
was  farther  away  on  the  road  that  connects  Bethany  with  Jerusalem?  How  far  is  it 
from  the  Jordan  and  from  the  Dead  Sea?  What  is  the  difference  in  elevation  between  Je- 
rusalem and  Jericho?  What  made  the  plain  about  Jericho  fertile?  For  what  was  the  city 
famed  among  the  Romans?  What  is  the  present  appearance  of  the  place?  What  may  account 
for  the   history  of  Jericho?     What  events  of  Christ's  life  occurred  here? 

145.  Where  is  Bethlehem?  What  king  of  Israel  was  born  here?  What  traditional  places 
are  shown  to  visitors  beneath  the  Church  of  the  Nativity?  Who  came  here  to  see  the  infant' 
Jesus?  What  massacre  occurred  here?  In  what  direction  and  how  far  from  Jerusalem  is 
Hebron?  What  famous  hero  of  the  New  Testament  was  born  here?  What  is  the  place  now 
called?  What  does  the  word  mean  and  to  whom  does  it  refer?  Where  was  Ephraim? 
When  was  it  visited  by  Christ?     Where  was  Fmmaus?     Por  what  is  it  famed? 

The  Cities  of  Samaria 

146.  Samaria.  Samaria,  "  the  crown  of  pride  of  Ephraim,  the  flower  of 
his  glorious  beauty,"  as  it  is  called  in  Isaiah,  was  the  capital  which  gave  its 
name  to  the  province.  It  was  built  upon  an  isolated  hill,  and  other  hills,  all 
higher  than  the  city,  surrounde'd  the  circular  valley  about  it  except  on  the 
west.  It  was  built  by  Omri,  and  was  the  capital  of  the  Northern  Kingdom. 
Herod  the  Great  changed  its  name  to  Sebaste,  in  honor  of  the  Emperor 
Augustus.  Sebaste  being  the  feminine  Greek  form  of  Augustus.  He  fortified 
the  city,  and  built  a  magnificent  temple  in  honor  of  Augustus.  Here  he  mar- 
ried Mariamne,  and  here  he  killed  her  and  her  two  sons.  Many  arches  and 
lofty  columns  are  still  standing  that  were  parts  of  Herod's  magnificent  struc- 
tures. 

147.  Shechem.  A  few  miles  southeast  of  Samaria,  in  the  long,  narrow, 
and  very  fertile  valley  between  IMount  Ebal  and  Mount  Gerizim,  was  Shechem, 
where  so  many  events  of  Old  Testament  history  took  place.  In  the  time  of 
Christ  it  was  the  chief  city  of  the  Samaritans. 

25 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  OF  PALESTINE 

148.  The  city  is  now  called  Nabulus,  or  Nablous,  and  is  one  of  the  most 
important  in  Palestine.  In  the  southwestern  part  of  the  city  there  is  a  little 
colony  of  Samaritans  who  are  descendants  of  those  who  lived  here  in  the 
time  of  Christ.  They  accept  only  the  Pentateuch,  and  they  have  their  own 
version,  which  they  claim  was  written  by  Aaron's  grandson.  They  celebrate 
each  year  the  passover  on  the  spot  where  their  temple  stood  on  Mount  Gerizim. 

149.  Sychar.  There  are  two  small  villages  represented  on  the  diagram, 
a  mile  away  from  Shechem ;  the  one  at  the  foot  of  Mount  Gerizim  is  the  modern 
village  of  Balata,  and  the  one  opposite,  at  the  base  of  Mount  Ebal,  is  the  modern 

village    of   Askar,    the    Sychar    of    New 

Testament  times,  the  village  to  which 
the  woman  of  Samaria  went  after  her 
conversation  with  Christ,  and  where 
Christ  Himself  spent  a  few  days  at  the 
request  of  the  people.  Jacob's  Well, 
too,  is  shown  in  the  diagram,  where, 
wearied  and  thirsty,  Christ  sat  when  the 
woman  came  to  draw  water,  and  where 
He  looked  up  and  saw  the  fields  white 
for  harvest.  The  same  stone  well  curb 
may  now  be  seen  in  a  little  chapel  that 
Shechem  and  Sychar  ^^^  ^^^^  Uj^JU  q^^j.   j^^   ^g   shown   in  the 

illustration.     Nearer  Sychar  a  small  square  building  marks  the  site  of  a  very 
ancient  sepulchre,  that  of  the  Patriarch  Joseph. 


The  Cities  on  the  Sea  of  Galilee 


150.  In  the  Time  of  Christ.  How  often  we  read  in  the  Gospels  about 
the  cities  and  villages  of  the  Sea  of  Galilee  !  No  other  region  in  all  Palestine  is 
so  closely  associated  with  the  life  of  Christ.  Here  most  of  His  mighty  works 
were  wrought  and  most  of  His  gracious  words  were  spoken.  At  that  time: 
the  lake  must  have  been  girdled  with  prosperous  cities.  There  is  said  to  have 
been  nine  large  cities  where  now  there  is  but  one  city  (Tiberias)  and  a  few 
miserable  hamlets.  Everywhere  about  the  lake  we  can  trace  Christ's  foot- 
steps, but  it  was  the  northwestern  shore  that  He  traversed  most  often. 

151.  "Amid  the  sowing  and  the  reaping,  the  fishing  and  mending  nets,  the 
journeying  to  and  fro  on  foot,  all  the  simple  .habits  of  the  native  life  of  the 
Sea  of  Galilee,"  says  Dr.  G.  A.  Smith,  "  do  we  not  catch  some  shadow  of  that 
other  world,  which  had  grown  up  around  it,  in  the  crowds  that  are  said 
to  grind  on  one  another  in  the  narrow  lanes,  like  corn  between  millstones 
(Mark  5.24)  ;  in  the  figures  of  the  centurion,  the  publican,  and  the  demoniac 
crying  that  his  name  was  legion;  in  the  stories  of  the  pulling  down  of  barns 
and  building  of  greater ;  of  opulent  householders  leaving  their  v/ell-appointcd 
villas  for  a  time  with  every  servant  in  his  place  and  the  porter  set  to  watch ; 
of  market-places  and  streets,  as  well  as  lanes;  in  the  comparison  of  the  towns 
on  the  lake  to  great  cities  —  Sodom  and  Gomorrah,  Tyre  and  Sidon  and 
Nineveh;  in  the  mention  of  Mammon  and  all  the  things  after  which  the 
Gentiles  seek,  and  in  the  seeming  acknowledgment  to  the  disciples  that  Galilee 
was  the  place  where  a  man  might  gain  the  whole  world  (Luke  9.25)?" 

2G 


From  stereograph   copyriglit   by    i'uclerwood  &■   Underwood,  New  York 

A  WO^IaN  of  SAMARIA  AT  JACOB'S  WELL 


IN  THE  TIME  OE  CHUIST 

152.  Bethsaida  and  Chorazin.  Upon  three  cities,  Bethsaida,  Chorazin, 
and  Capcrnainii,  Christ  piuiKumced  His  woes,  because  in  them  most  of  His 
mighty  works  had  been  done,  and  they  repented  not.  The  site  of  each  city 
is  disputed.  Bethsaida  means  Fisher-Home.  Some  authorities  think  that  there 
were  two  Bethsaidas,  one  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Jordan  a  short  distance 
above  the  lake  (in  the  Tetrarchy  of  Philip),  called  Bethsaida  Julias,  and  the 
other,  the  city  of  Andrew  and  Peter  and  Philip,  on  the  western  shore  of  the 
lake. 

153.  Bethsaida  Julias  was  named  by  Philip  the  Tetrarch  in  honor  of  the 
daughter  of  Augustus  Ca'sar.  It  was  to  this  place  that  Christ  went  by  boat  on 
learning  of  the  death  of  John  the  Baptist,  and  on  the  plain  near  by  (El  Batihah) 
was  probably  the  place  where  He  fed  the  five  thousand  who  followed  on  foot 
around  the  lake,  crossing  the  Jordan  at  a  ford. 

154.  A  heap  of  ruins  at  Keraseh  among  the  hills  west  of  the  Jordan  probably 
marks  the  site  of  Chorazin. 

155.  Capernaum.  We  know  from  the  Gospel  accounts  that  Capernaum 
was  on  the  shore  of  the  lake,  and  on  or  near  the  Plain  of  Gennesaret.  Two 
sites,  two  or  three  miles  apart — Khan  Minyeh  and  Tell  Hum  —  are  claimed 
for  the  cit}'.  At  Tell  Hum  there  are  ruins  of  an  ancient  building  thought  by 
some  to  have  been  the  synagogue  built  by  the  centurion  (Luke  7.5),  and  at 
Khan   Minyeh  there  is  a  mass  of  earth-covered   ruins. 

156.  There  was  a  Roman  garrison  at  Capernaum,  under  the  command  of  a 
centurion.  Jerusalem  alone  surpassed  Capernaum  as  a  gathering  place  for  all 
peoples,  for  travelers  passed  through  it  on  their  way  from  Damascus  and  the 
Euphrates  to  the  coast,  to  Jerusalem,   and  to   Egj-pt. 

157.  Peter  and  Andrew  settled  in  this  city,  and  Christ  made  it  His  home 
after  His  rejection  at  Nazareth.  It  was  "His  own  city"  (Matt.  4.13:  9.1), 
the  starting  point  from  which  He  made  His  journeys,  and  the  place  to  which 
He  returned  after  "  going  about  doing  good."  Capernaum  was  the  scene  of 
many  of  His  miracles.  Here  the  nobleman's  son  was  healed.  Near  Capernaum 
occurred  the  miraculous  draught  of  fishes,  when  Christ  called  the  four  fisher- 
men, Peter  and  Andrew,  James  and  John,  to  be  His  disciples.  In  the  syna- 
gogue the  demoniac  was  freed.  Here  the  mother  of  Peter's  wife  was  cured, 
and  "  multitudes  came  to  Him  to  be  healed  of  their  diseases."  The  paralytic 
was  let  down  through  the  roof  at  Christ's  feet,  and  He  restored  him  to 
strength.  ^^latthew  was  called  from  his  tax-gathering  to  be  a  disciple.  From 
here  the  Roman  centurion's  servant  was  healed.  Here  Christ  was  anointed  by 
the  woman  that  was  a  sinner.  It  was  from  a  boat  off  the  shore  near  Capernaum 
that  Christ  uttered  his  beautiful  parables  of  The  Sower,  The  Tares,  The  Mus- 
tard Seed,  The  Leaven,  The  Hid  Treasure,  The  Net,  as  told  in  the  thirteenth 
chapter  of  Matthew.  At  Capernaum  Matthew  gave  Him  a  feast,  and  the 
Phari-sees  complained  because  He  ate  with  publicans  and  sinners.  He  raised 
to  life  the  daughter  of  Jairus,  healed  a  woman,  some  blind  men,  and  a 
demoniac.  The  disciples  returned  to  Capernaum  after  their  missionary  tour, 
and  Christ  sought  with  them  a  place  of  rest  on  the  other  side  of  the  Sea  of 
Galilee,  when  He  was  followed  by  the  multitudes  whom  He  miraculously  fed. 
That  night  He  came  to  His  disciples  in  a  storm,  walking  on  the  water,  and 
returned  with  them  in  their  boat  to  Capernaum,  where  the  next  day  the  multi- 
tudes followed  and  found  Him  in  the  .synagogue.  To  them  He  gave  His  dis- 
course about  the  Bread  of  Life,  and  after  many  were  offended  and  left  Him, 

27 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  OF  PALESTINE 

He  asked  His  disciples  if  they,  too,  would  go  away,  and  Peter  made  his 
confession  of  faith,  "Lord,  to  whom  shall  we  go?  Thou  hast  the  words  of 
eternal  life,  and  we  know  that  Thou  art  the  Holy  One  of  God."  The  contest 
with  the  Pharisees  about  eating  with  unwashed  hands  occurred  here,  the  sign 
from  Heaven  was  demanded,  the  piece  of  money  for  the  temple  tax  was  se- 
cured, and  the  lesson  of  humility  with  a  little  child  for  a  text  and  the  duty  of 
forgiveness  were  taught. 

158.  Magdala.  Magdala,  in  Matthew  15. 39  called  T\Iagadan,  is  famous 
as  the  home  of  Mary  Magdalene.  It  was  a  place  of  wealth,  "  a  city  of  dyers." 
A  few  mud  and  stone  hovels  now  occupy  the  site. 

159.  Tiberias.  This  city  is  six  miles  from  the  southern  end  of  the  lake. 
Herod  Antipas  entirely  rebuilt  it,  naming  it  in  honor  of  the  Emperor  of 
Rome,  Tiberius  Caesar,  and  made  it  the  capital  of  his  tetrarchy.  He  erected  a 
castle,  synagogue,  forum,  and  other  magnificent  buildings  and  beautiful  villas 
all  in  great  contrast  to  the  humble  fishermen's  homes  in  other  towns  about  the 
lake.  Because  it  was  built  on  the  site  of  an  ancient  burial  place,  no  Jew 
would  willingly  live  here,  although  Herod  gave  him  land  and  exempted  him 
from  taxation.  The  hot,  sulphurous  springs  near  the  city  were  famous  through- 
out the  Roman  world.  The  city  is  mentioned  in  John  6. 23,  but  we  do  not 
know^  whether  Christ  ever  visited  it  or  not.  Tiberias  is  now  the  only  place 
of  any  size  on  the  lake.  It  has  the  reputation  of  being  one  of  the  dirtiest 
places  in  Palestine,  and  the  home  of  "  the  king  of  fleas." 

160.  Map  Work.  On  your  outline  map,  page  41,  locate  the  cities  of  Samaria 
and  tiiose  around  the  Sea  of  Galilee.  Draw  the  roads  which  ran  through 
Shechem. 

161.  Review  Questions.  Describe  the  location  of  the  city  of  Samaria,  \^'hat  name  was 
given  to  it  by  Herod  the  Great?  What  ruins  are  now  to  be  seen  here?  Describe  the  location 
of  Shechem.  What  interesting  colony  of  people  now  live  in  the  city?  Where  was  Sychar? 
For  what  is  it  famed?  \\'hy  do  travelers  visit  this  spot?  What  were  some  of  the  scents 
about  the  Sea  of  Galilee  in  the  time  of  Christ?  What  were  the  important  cities?  What 
places  are  now  to  be  seen  about  the  lake?  Upon  what  three  cities  did  Christ  pronounce  His 
woes?  What  is  now  known  about  their  sites?  Where  was  Bethsaida  Julius?  What  occurred 
near  here?  Wliere  was  Capernaum?  What  two  sites  are  claimed  for  it  now?  Why  was  it  an 
important  city?  What  events  in  Christ's  life  occurred  in  this  city?  What  has  made  the  city 
of  Magdala  famous?  Where  was  Tiberias?  For  what  was  it  famous  among  the  Romans? 
Why   would   not   the  Jews   willingly  live  here?     What  did  Herod   Antipas  do   for   the  place? 

The  Cities  among  the  Galilean  Hills 

162.  Nazareth.  Josephus  says  there  were  two  hundred  and  forty  cities 
and  villages  in  Galilee.  Among  the  hills  of  Lower  Galilee  the  cities  of  im- 
portance in  the  Gospel  narratives  are  Nazareth,  Cana,  and  Nain.  Nazareth 
is  seventeen  miles  west  of  the  Sea  of  Galilee.  A  glance  at  the  map  shows 
that  it  is  on  a  line  with  the  lower  end  of  the  lake,  while  Jerusalem  is  on  a 
line  with  the  upper  end  of  the  Dead  Sea,  the  two  cities  being  as  far  apart 
as  the  length  of  the  River  Jordan  between  these  lakes,  sixty-five  miles.  Naz- 
areth is  on  the  range  of  Lower  Galilee  which  bounds  the  Plain  of  Esdraelon. 
From  the  village  itself  the  surrounding  country  can  not  be  seen,  for  its  ele- 
vated basin  is  surrounded  by  fifteen  hills,  "  like  a  rose  enclosed  in  its  petals." 
says  an  ancient  writer.  Its  houses  climb  up  the  hillsides.  From  the  hill 
northeast  of  the  city  one  has  a  fine  prospect  over   all   Upper  Galilee  even  to 

28 


From    stcreogrol'h   copyright   by    inaetwuod  &    Underwood,    Xezi.-    Yurk 

THE   "FOUNTAIN   OF  TRE  VIRGIN,"   NAZARETH 


IN   THE  TLMK  OF  CHRIST 

Hermon,  eastward  to  Tabor,  soutlnvard  over  the  ria.in  of  Esdraclon,  and 
westward  to  the  Great  Sea.  "  1  do  not  think  that  my  experience  inclndes  a 
view  so  sf  caking  as  this,"  says  Dr.  Sanday.  "  There  is  no  spot  in  Palestine 
that  so  suggests  a  Gospel  cradled  among  the  quiet  hills,  but  carried  out  from 
thence  over  the  habitable  world."  The  life  upon  which  the  eyes  of  the  boy 
Jesus  looked  from  the  southern  hill  Dr.  Smith  thus  pictures :  "  Across  Es- 
draelon,  opposite  Nazareth,  there  emerged  from  the  Saniarian  hills  the  road 
from  Jerusalem,  thronged  annually  with  pilgrims,  and  the  road  from  Egypt 
with  its  merchants  going  up  and  down.  The  Midianite  caravans  could  be 
watched  for  miles  coming  up  from  the  fords  of  Jordan ;  and  the  caravans 
from  Damascus  wound  round  the  foot  of  the  hill  on  which  Nazareth  stands. 
From  the  northern  edge  of  His  hollow  home,  there  was  another  road  within 
sight,  where  the  companies  were  still  more  brilliant — the  highway  between 
Acre  and  Decapolis,  along  which  legions  marched,  and  princes  swept  with  their 
retinues,  and   all  sorts  of  travelers  from  all  countries  went  to  and  fro." 

163.  From  Nazareth  Mary  and  Joseph  went  to  Bethlehem  to  be  enrolled,  and 
to  Nazareth  they  returned  with  Jesus  after  the  flight  into  Egypt.  This  was 
His  home  till  the  beginning  of  His  public  ministry.  In  the  synagogue  here 
He  proclaimed  Himself  the  fulfilment  of  prophec}',  and  so  aroused  the  anger  of 
the  people  that  they  sought  to  hurl  Him  from  the  brow  of  the  hill.  A  second 
time  He  was  rejected  at  Nazareth. 

164.  The  city  is  now  one  of  Palestine's  few"  prosperous  places.  The  most 
interesting  sight  here  is  the  Fountain  of  the  Virgin,  or  Mary's  Well,  as  it  is 
also  called,  which  from  time  immemorial  has  supplied  the  place  with  water. 
Here  without  doubt  Mary  came  for  water,  carrying  her  pitcher  on  her  head 
as  the  women  still  do  to-day,  and  here  Christ  must  have  often  tarried. 

165.  Cana.  It  is  uncertain  which  of  two  modern  places  —  the  one  four 
miles  northeast  of  Nazareth,  and  the  other  twice  as  far  away  to  the  north 
of  that  city  — was  the  site  of  Cana,  the  place  made  famous  by  the  first  miracle 
of  Christ,  the  changing  of  water  into  wine  at  the  wedding  feast.  Christ  was 
at  Cana  when  sought  by  the  nobleman  whose  son  was  ill  at  Capernaum.  Cana 
was  the  birthplace  of  Nathanael,  one  of  the  Apostles. 

166.  Nain.  Nain  is  on  the  northwestern  slope  of  Little  Hermon.  -Here 
Christ  restored  to  life  the  widow's  son.  In  the  neighborhood  rock-cut  tombs 
are  now  to  be  seen,  toward  which  the  funeral  procession  probably  was  going 
when  met  by  Christ. 

The  Cities  ix  the  Tetrarchy  of  Philip 

167.  Caesarea  Philippi.  Twelve  miles  north  of  Lake  Huleh,  and  then 
five  miles  eastward  upon  one  of  the  southern  spurs  of  Mount  Hermon  was 
Caesarea  Philippi.  It  was  the  most  northern  city  of  the  Holy  Land  in  the 
time  of  Christ,  a  few  miles  east  of  the  site  of  Dan  of  the  Old  Testament 
times.  The  Greeks  had  dedicated  here  a  grove  and  a  grotto  to  Pan,  their 
god  of  the  shepherds,  and  they  named  the  town  which  grew  up  here  Paneas. 
The  name  survives  in  its  modem  name  Banias.  Herod  the  Great  built  a  temple 
here  of  white  marble.  His  son  Philip  the  Tetrarch  enlarged  the  town  and 
changed  its  name  to  Caesarea.  The  name  of  Philippi  was  added  to  honor  the 
Tetrarch   and   to   distinguish   the   town    from    Caesarea   on   the   coast.     From   a 

29 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  OF  PALESTINE 

very  large  spring  in  the  grotto  the  River  Banias,  one  of  the  sources  of  the  Jor- 
dan, flows. 

i68.  Caesarea  PhiHppi  was  the  northernmost  limit  of  Christ's  journeys.  He 
came  to  this  Gentile  region  to  escape  Jewish  hostility,  and  here  His  disciples 
first  clearly  recognized  and  acknowledged  His  divinity.  From  here  He  "  set 
His  face  steadfastly  toward  Jerusalem."  In  the  neighborhood,  on  some  part 
of  Mount  llormon,  it  is  believed  the  Transfiguration  scene  occurred. 

169.  Gergesa.  On  the  eastern  sliore  of  the  Sea  of  Galilee,  almost  opposite 
RIagdala,  there  are  ruins  known  as  Khersa,  which  have  been  identified  as  the 
site  of  the  city  of  Gergesa.  This  city  was  included  in  the  larger  district  of 
which  Gadara,  farther  away,  was  the  capital,  and  was  therefore  said  to  be  in 
"  the  country  of  the  Gadarenes,"  or  "  of  the  Gerasenes."  The  steep  hills  come 
close  to  the  shore  at  this  point.  Here  Christ  healed  the  demoniacs  and  the 
destruction  of  the  swine  followed. 

The  Cities  of  Perea 

170.  The  Decapolis.  The  League  of  "  The  Ten  Cities,"  as  the  Latin  word 
Decapolis  means  was  a  union  of  Greek  cities  mainly  for  the  sake  of  defense 
and  commerce.  Scythopolis  (called  in  Old  Testament  times  Bethshan)  was 
the  only  city  west  of  the  Jordan;  the  others  (save  Damascus  northeast  of 
Mount  Hermon)  were  scattered  along  the  main  routes  of  travel  across  Perea 
to  the  desert.  Each  city  controlled  a  large  surrounding  territory  with  its  nu- 
merous villages.  Gadara,  one  of  the  League,  was  only  six  miles  south  of  the 
Sea  of  Galilee.  Dr.  Smith  thus  speaks  of  the  influence  of  the  Greek  life  of 
these  cities :  "  The  Decapolis  was  flourishing  in  the  time  of  Christ's  min- 
istry. Gadara,  with  her  temple  and  her  amphitheaters,  with  her  art,  her 
games,  and  her  literature,  overhung  the  Lake  of  Galilee,  and  the  voyages  of  its 
fishermen.  Philodemus,  Meleager,  Menippus,  Theodorus,  were  names  of  which 
the  one  end  of  the  Lake  of  Galilee  was  proud,  when  Matthew,  Peter,  James, 
and  John,  were  working  at  the  other  end.  The  temples  of  Zeus,  Pallas,  and 
Astarte  crowned  the  height  opposite  to  that  which  gave  its  name  to  the  Ser- 
mon on  the  Mount.  Bacchus,  under  his  Greek  name,  ruled  the  territory  down 
the  Jordan  Valley  to  Scythopolis.  There  was  another  temple  to  Zeus  on  the 
other  side  of  Galilee,  at  Ptolemais,  almost  within  sight  of  Nazareth.  We 
can  not  believe  that  the  two  worlds,  which  this  one  landscape  embraced,  did 
not  break  into  each  other.  The  many  roads  which  crossed  Galilee  from  the 
Decapolis  to  the  coast,  the  many  inscriptions  upon  them,  the  constant  trade  be- 
tween the  fishermen  and  the  Greek  exporters  of  their  fish,  the  very  coins  — 
everywhere  thrust  Greek  upon  the  Jews  of  Galilee." 

171.  Bethany  beyond  Jordan.  This  city  is  called  Bethabara  beyond  Jor- 
dan in  tiic  Authorized  Version.  The  traditional  site  is  nearly  opposite  Jericho, 
but  recent  scholarship  locates  it  about  fifteen  miles  south  of  the  Sea  of  Galilee, 
east  of  the  Jordan.  It  was  probably  near  here  that  Christ  was  baptized,  and 
here  John  bore  his  testimony  to  Him  as  the  Lamb  of  God.  After  His  tempta- 
tion Christ  came  to  Bethany  and  met  His  first  disciples,  John  and  Andrew, 
Peter  and  James,  Philip  and  Nathanael. 

172.  Machserus.  This  was  an  enormous  fortress  in  the  southern  part  of 
Perea,  five  miles  from  the  Dead  Sea.  Herod  Antipas  rebuilt  it.  and  in  the 
dungeon  beneath  the   royal   palace  he  imprisoned  John  the   Baptist,  and  after- 

^0 


IN   THE  TIME  OF  CHRIST 

ward  caused  him  to  be  beheaded.     In  this   region   Moses  and  John,  many  cen- 
turies apart,  ended  their  earthly  lives. 

173.  Map  Work.  Un  your  outline  map,  page  41,  locate  the  cities  among 
the  hills  of  Galilee,  and  those  east  of  the  Jordan.  Draw  the  road  from  Damas- 
cus that  crosses  Galilee,  and  the  roads  east  of  the  Jordan. 

174.  Review  Questions.  How  far  is  Nazareth  from  Jerusalem  ?  Describe  its  location. 
W'liy  was  tliis  a  suitable  spot  for  the  early  years  of  Christ's  life?  How  long  did  He  live 
here?  Why  did  He  leave?  What  city  did  he  make  His  home  after  this?  What  is  the  main 
object  of  interest  here  now?  Where  was  Cana?  What  event  in  Christ's  life  occurred  here? 
Wliere  was   Nain?     What  miracle  did  Christ  perform  here? 

Where  was  Caesarea  Philippi?  What  was  its  first  name?  What  is  it  called  now?  What 
is  the  name  of  the  source  here  of  the  Jordan?  Why  did  Christ  visit  the  place?  Where  was 
the  scene  of  His  transfiguration?  What  other  city  in  the  Tetrarchy  of  Philip  is  mentioned 
in   the  Gospels?     What  occurred   there? 

175.  Where  were  the  cities  of  the  Decapolis?  What  does  the  word  mean?  Why  was  this 
league  formed?  \\'hich  city  was  west  of  the  Jordan?  What  roads  ran  through  this  place? 
Where  was  Christ  baptized  by  John?  What  disciples  did  lie  first  meet  here?  Wliere  and 
what  was   Macha;rus?     Who  was  imprisoned  in   the  dungeon  beneath? 

176.  Map  Work.  On  page  43,  draw  from  memory  the  map  of  Pales- 
tine. Locate  all  the  lakes,  rivers,  mountains,  and  cities  about  which  you  have 
studied. 


11 


RELIEF  3IAP 

OF 
PALESTINE 


Soilo  ..f  Mill's 

0  S  to  1%  JO         39 


THE  M.-N.  WORKS,    BUFFALO,  W.  Y 


INDEX 


Acra,  Mount,  21. 

Across  Palestine:  from  east  to  west,  4; 
from  north   to  south,  6. 

Altitudes:  Central  Range,  5;  Dc^d 
Sea,  10 ;  Eastern  Range,  1 1  ;  froiM 
east  to  west,  4 ;  from  north  to  south, 
6;  Galilee,  16;  Jordan  Valley,  8; 
Judea,  14;  Low  Hills,  6;  Lower  Jor- 
dan Valley,  8;  Maritime  Plain,  4; 
Mount  Hermon,  11;  Samaria,  15: 
Sea  of  Galilee,  8;  Tabor,  8. 

Anti-Lebanon  ]\Iountains,  5. 

Antonia,  Tower  of,  22. 

Arabia,   Peninsula  of,   i. 

Areas :  All  Palestine,  3 :  Eastern 
Palestine,  11;  Galilee,  16:  Judea,  14; 
Samaria,    15:    Western    Palestine,   2. 

Arnon   River,   11. 

Ashkelon,  \g. 

Banias   River,  30. 

Bay  of  Acre,  3. 

Bethany,  23. 

Bethany    (Bethabara)    beyond  Jordan, 

30. 
Bethcsda,   Pool  of,  22. 
Bethlehem,  22,,  24. 
Bethsaida,  27. 
Bezctha,  JMount,  21. 

Csesarea,  19. 

C?esarea  Philippi,  29,  30. 

Cana,  29. 

Canaan,  2. 

Capernaum,  27,  28. 

Carmol.  Mount,  5,  7- 

Central  Range,  4,  5. 

Chorazin,  27. 

Cities:  among  Galilean  Hills,  28,  29; 
in  Judea,  20-25;  in  Samaria,  25,  26; 
in  Palestine,  19-31  :  in  Perea,  30,  31 ; 
in  Tetrarchy  of  Philip,  29,  30;  on 
Maritime  Plain,  19,  20;  on  Sea  of 
Galilee,  26-28. 

Climate:  Effect  of  on  Jericho,  24;  in 
Jordan  Valley,  8;  in  Neighborhood 
of  Dead  Sea,  10 ;  in  Neighborhood 
of  Sea  of  Galilee,  10 ;  Influence  of 
Lebanon  Mountains  on,  5,  16 ;  Pre- 
vailing Winds.  13;  Range  of  Tem- 
perature, 12;  Seasons,  12;  Storms  on 
Sea  of  Galilee,  13. 

Coast  Line,  3. 

Coast  Route,  17. 

Damascus,  Roads  to,  17. 
Dead   Sea:  Depth  of  Surface,  8;    De- 
scription of,  10;  Location  of,  3- 


Decapolis,  30. 

Direction  of  Palestine  from  the  United 
Stales,  I. 

Distances:  across  Samaria,  15:  Beth- 
any from  Jerusalem,  23;  Bethlehem 
from  Jerusalem,  23;  C?esarea  Philippi 
from  Lake  Huleh,  29 ;  Dead  Sea 
from  Coast,  3 :  Emmaus  from  Jeru- 
salem, 24 ;  Ephraim  from  Jerusalem, 
24 ;  Hebron  from  Jerusalem,  24 ; 
Jericho  from  Dead  Sea,  24;  Jericho 
from  Jerusalem,  24;  Jericho  from 
Jordan,  24 ;  Jerusalem  from  Dead 
Sea,  20;  Jerusalem  from  Mediter- 
ranean, 20 ;  Jerusalem  from  New 
York,  2;  Nazareth  from  Jerusalem, 
28;  Nazareth  from  Sea  of  Galilee, 
28;  Palestine  from  United  Stales, 
I ;  Sea  of  Galilee  from  Coast,  3 ;  Sea 
of  Galilee  from  Dead  Sea,  lo;  Sea 
of  Galilee  from  Lake  Huleh,  9. 

Divisions   of    the    Central    Range,    5. 

Divisions  Political,  13-17. 

Dome  of  the  Rock,  22. 

East  and  West  Roads,  18. 

Eastern  Range,  4,  11,  12. 

Ebal,  15. 

Effect  of  Climate  on  Jericho,  24. 

Effect   of   Geographical   Conditions   on 

Judeans  and  Galileans,  16. 
Effect  of   Greek  Life  in   Cities  of  the 

Decapolis,  30. 
EI-Batihah,    10. 
Emmaus,  24. 
Ephraim,  24. 
Esdraelon,  Plain  of,  4,  7. 

Fountain  of  the  Virgin,  Nazareth,  29. 
Four  Parallel  Regions,  4. 

Gadara,  30. 

Galilee,  6,  16. 

Gaza,  19. 

Gergesa,  z^- 

Gerizim,  15. 

Gethsemane,  Garden  of,  22. 

Golgotha.  22. 

Great  Highwavs.   17,  18. 

Great  Nations  of  Antiquity,  1,  2. 

Gulf  of  Akabah,  8. 

Haifa,  19. 

Hebron,  24. 

Hermon,  II. 

Highways,  17,  18. 

Hill  of  Evil  Counsel.  2^ 

Hinnom,  Valley  of,  21. 


INDEX 


Idumea,  13. 
Itiiroa,   17. 

Jabbok  River.  11. 
Jacob's  Well,  26. 
Jolioshapliat,  Valley  of.  21. 
Jericho,  24,  25. 

Jerusalem  :    Description  of,  20-23  ;  Dis- 
tance from  New  York,  2. 
Joppa,  5,  6,  19. 
Jordan  River.  3,  9.  10. 
Jordan  River  Sjstem,  9-11. 
Jordan  Valley,  4,  8. 
Jiulca,  6,  14.  15. 

Karn   Hattin.  9. 
Kidron,  21,  23. 
Kishon,  7. 

Ladder  of  Tyre,  5. 

Lake   Huleh,   3,  9. 

Land  of  Israel,  2. 

Lebanon  Mountains,  i,  5,  11. 

Little  Hermon,  7. 

Low  Hills,  6. 

Lower  Galilee,  16. 

Lower  Jordan,  10. 

Lower  Jordan  Valley,  8. 

l\Lach?erus,  30. 

Magdala,  9.  -'S- 

Alap  Work,  3,  4,  5,  6,  8,  10,  11,  12,  14, 

17,  18,  19,  20,  25,  28,  31. 
Maritime  Plain,  4,  5. 
Mediterranean  Sea,  i. 
Moriah,  21. 
Mountains:  Acra,     21;     Bezetha,     21; 

Carmel,  5,  7 :  Gilboa,  7 ;  Hermon,  1 1  ; 

Little  Hermon,  7 ;  Moriah,  21 ;  Nebo, 

11;  of  Beatitudes,  9;  Olives,  21,  23; 

Ophel,  21;  Tabor,  7,  8;  Zion,  21,  22. 

Nain,  29. 

Names:  of  Palestine,  2;  of  Syria,  i,  2. 

Nazareth,  28,  29. 

Nebo,  II. 

Negeb,  14. 

North  and  South  Roads,  17,  18. 

Olives,  Mount  of,  21,  23. 
Ophel,  Mount,  21. 

Palestine:  Area   of,  3;   Distance   from 

United     States,     i ;     Limits     of,     i  ; 

Names  of,  2 ;   Physical   Features  of, 

4 ;  Size  of,  2. 
Perea,  13,  16,  17. 
Phenicia,  Plain  of.  5. 
Philistia,  Plain  of,  5. 
Physical   Features.  4-12. 
Pilgrim   Road.   18. 
Plains:   Fl-Batihah.    to;    Esdraclon.   4, 

7,    8;    Gcnnesaret,    9:     Phenicia,    5: 

Philistia,  5;  Sharon,  5. 


Political   Divisions,   13-17. 

Pools:   Belhesda,  22;   Siloam,  21. 

Position  and  Extent  of  Palestine,  1-3. 

Potters'  Field,  21. 

Prevailing  Winds,  13. 

Products:  Galilee,  16:  Judea,  14;  Sa- 
maria, IS;  Perea,  17;  Telrarchy  of 
Philip,  17. 

Province  of  Judea,  13. 

Rains,  12. 

Review   Questions,  3,  6,  9,   12,   14,   17, 

20,  25,  28,  31. 
Rivers:  Arnon,  11  ;  Banias,  30;  Jabbok, 

11;    Jordan,    3,    9,     10;    Kishon,    7; 

Yarmuk,  11,  16. 

Samaria  City,  25. 

Samaria,  Province,  6,  15. 

Scenery:  across  Palestine,  12;  around 
the  Dead  Sea,  11  ;  around  the  Sea 
of  Galilee,  9,  10;  of  Eastern  Range, 
II ;  of  Jerusalem,  22;  of  Judea,  14, 
15;  of  Palestine,  7,  8;  of  Samaria. 
15 ;  View   from   Nazareth,  2S. 

Scythopolis,  30. 

Sea  of  Galilee  :  Cities  on,  26-28  ;  Depth 
of  Surface.  8;  Description  of,  9,  ij; 
Location  of,  3 ;  Storms  on,  13. 

Sea  of  Gennesaret,  9. 

Sea  of  Tiberias,  9. 

Seasons,  12. 

Sharon,   Plain  of,  5- 

Sliechem.  25.  26. 

Slicphelah,   6. 

Sidon,  19,  20. 

Springs,  12,  13,  15. 

Storms  on  Sea  of  Galilee,  13. 

Sychar,  26. 

Syria :  Boundaries,  i  :  Extent,  1  , 
Names,  i,  2;  Location,  i. 

Tabor,  7,  8. 

Temperature,   12. 

Temple,  22. 

Tetrarchy  of  Herod  Antipas,   13,   16. 

Tetrarchy  of  Philip,  13,  16,  17. 

Tiberias,  10,  28. 

Tyre,   19,  20. 

Tyropoean  Valley,  21. 

L^nderground  Waters,  13. 
Upper  Galilee,  16. 
L'pper  Jordan,  9. 

Valleys:  Hinnom,    21:    Kidron    or   Je- 

hoshaphat,  21  ;  Tyropcean,  21. 
Virgin's   Fountain,  21. 
Water  Supply,  12,  13,  15,  16. 
Western  Palestine  :  Area,  2 ;  Limits,  3. 
Wilderness  of  Judea,  15. 
Winds,  13. 

Yarmuk  River,  11,  16. 

Zion,  Mount,  21,  22. 


i 


Date  Due 


